TAMPA -- Hillsborough commissioners draft a list of projects they'd like to see funded with the leftovers from an illegal tax.
First, the state will try to refund payments for a Hillsborough transportation sales tax declared unconstitutional. Then the county gets what's left. Hillsborough Commissioners voted 4-2 to send the state a wish list for the money. Commissioner Michael Owen voted no. He says the commission is wasting its time because the wish list will hold little to no weight with state government.
Owen says commissioners should stop defying the governor and he made a motion to completely accept whatever DeSantis and lawmakers wish to do with the taxes collected. "I am thankful that these funds are in the legislature's hands. I ... give the legislature and our leadership in Tallahassee full support, to do the right thing with our funds. Thank you."
Commissioner Joshua Wostal abstained, saying that the commission should use the county attorney to invesstigate and shut down the All for Transportation group that lobbied for the tax.
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