A Message to our Chamber Members - As we close the first week of early voting in the 2024 General Election, the Tampa Bay Chamber and our Board of Directors would like to thank voters who've already exercised their right to vote. We encourage our Chamber Member Companies and their employees to take advantage of this opportunity, if they have any reservations about getting to the polls on Tuesday, November 5th. There are two Hillsborough County issues on the ballot that we believe are vitally important to the long-term future of our local economy, workforce, and quality of life of our citizens - the renewal of the Community Investment Tax (CIT) to build and maintain the county's infrastructure, and the education referendum to fund Hillsborough County Public Schools' efforts to address significant staffing shortages and more.
Our Board of Directors voted unanimously in support of both ballot items in May and September, and our Chamber is urging our 1,100+ Chamber Member Companies and the 9,800+ individuals accessing member benefits to vote YES to CIT renewal, as well as the school referendum for a millage increase. Here is additional background on both important issues.
VOTE YES ON THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT TAX (CIT) Renewal
Looking ahead, here is a look at how the infrastructure of local municipalities would benefit, if CIT is renewed for another 15 years. The municipalities of Plant City, Tampa, Temple Terrace and the neighborhoods covered by Hillsborough County government have outlined a comprehensive list of projects that would be funded. CIT dollars would be allocated based on population, the formula used since CIT was created in 1996. The largest share of funds will go toward transportation needs across Hillsborough, including street maintenance and sidewalks, addressing one of the most fundamental aspects of daily life. Substantial funding will also go toward public safety, ensuring that law enforcement, fire stations, and other essential services are adequately supported.
A YES vote on CIT Renewal would provide Hillsborough County, Plant City, City of Tampa and City of Temple Terrace with $3.8 billion for infrastructure projects over 15 years:
- Public Utilities: $180 million (4.8% of total CIT funding)
- Public Safety: $882 million (23.4% of total CIT funding)
- Transportation: $1.6 billion (41.4% of total CIT funding)
While transportation, utilities, and public safety remain the key issues identified by our Chamber Members, they are only a few of the areas funded by the CIT since 1996. Allowing CIT's 30-year term to end without a renewal would result in a loss of $3.8 billion to our local economy in 2026.
VOTE YES ON THE HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY MILLAGE FOR PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS
The Hillsborough County Education Foundation conducted research on the current state of local public schools, in advance of the referendum being approved earlier this year by the Hillsborough County School Board vote to pose the question to voters during the 2024 General Election. Here is background and data, generated by HEF. The Hillsborough County Millage for Public School Students is a modest property tax that will generate a projected $177 million annually, with 92% dedicated to raising pay for teachers and support staff. This funding will provide an estimated $6,000 supplement for teachers and a $3,000 supplement for support staff such as bus drivers. These increases are essential to stop the outflow of talent to neighboring counties and states, where pay is more competitive. Millage is a tax rate defined as the dollars assessed for each $1,000 of value; one mill is one dollar per $1,000 of assessed value.
A YES vote on the Hillsborough County Millage for Public School Students would address significant challenges currently plaguing public schools:
- Hillsborough County Public Schools is facing a severe shortage of teachers and support staff. At the beginning of the 2023 school year, 10,000 students started without full-time teachers, and there are still 473 vacancies as of April 2024.
- Due to a bus driver shortage, 8,000 students arrive late to school on a typical day. This shortage impacts the quality of education our children receive and undermines their prospects.
- Teachers are leaving Hillsborough County because they can earn more in neighboring counties, where millages support higher salaries. Pinellas, Manatee, and Pasco counties have all implemented millage rates that ensure teachers are competitively compensated, allowing them to attract and retain talented educators. Pinellas County, in particular, has had their millage in place for the past 20 years, and it was renewed again in 2020.
- Hillsborough County’s spending per student is significantly below the U.S. average, contributing to our inability to retain and attract high-quality educators. According to the National Education Association, Florida ranks 50th in the nation when it comes to teacher pay.