Subject: [Tampa-Tea-Party] Penny For Pinellas - Vote No!
H/T S Pinellas 912 If you live in Pinellas, Penny for Pinellas is a misnomer - it is a One Percent Tax and is trying to be rammed thru again in an off year low turnout election.
There are many reasons to vote No on Penny for Pinellas 10 year renewal. If you vote by mail in Pinellas County then you should have have just received your ballot. For many you will note that it is the only question on the ballot for you to vote upon. No candidates with the exception of St Petersburg and Seminole are on the 2017 ballot.
That is because of the fact that they always schedule this 10 year sales tax renewal by voters on Penny for Pinellas in off year election with the lowest turnout of voters which has proven to be the best chance of getting small numbers to pass. That alone is calculated and state legislation is proposed to no longer allow such tactics for tax increases such as the Penny.
3 reasons to vote Against the renewal of Penny for Pinellas
1. Ballot Language is Too Vague
This referendum is a Blank Check for $2 Billion tax dollars from us that allows the County Commissioners to spend as they wish with practically no accountability. For instance, what is the meaning of the category “other” near the bottom? (see sample ballot below)
2. Bait and Switch Tax
This tax was sold to us 30 years ago as a temporary tax to build infrastructure needed in the county. So why after 30 years is Pinellas leading the state of Florida in Sewage Spills in 2016? Countywide 33 sewage spills totaling millions of gallons were reported to FDEP during the week of Hurricane Irma.
3. The County Government has proven to be poor stewards of Penny for Pinellas Tax
Just today the Tampa Bay Times is reporting how the County lost $1.7 million Penny for Pinellas Dollars in an Indian Rocks Beach land deal.
read here: