TAMPA -- Tampa's Mayor makes Juneteenth a holiday for city workers.
Mayor Jane Castor signed an executive order Friday, designating the holiday honoring the end of slavery.
City Councilman Orlando Gudes launched the request to make Juneteenth a paid holiday. It was a response to community leaders including Pastor Philetha Tucker Jackson.
There was no real opposition to extending the federal holiday passed in 2021 to the city level. It was all a question of making the money work. Speakers thanked the city's financial staff for balancing out dollars and cents.
Castor proudly pointed out that the Juneteenth flag has flown over Tampa City Hall since 2020.
The paid holiday will begin in 2023.
Photo: City in Tampa