The campaign to gain voter support for a proposed 1 percent Hillsborough County sales tax surcharge to finance light rail and other mobility improvements won't become as vigorous as it must be until the county commission approves putting the measure on the Nov. 2 ballot, a panel of transit advocates agreed Tuesday.
That approval is expected next month, Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio said.
Iorio, three officials involved in local transportation networks, the region's top economic development official and an activist in the black community took part in a PBS "NewsHour" and WEDU-TV discussion at the University of Tampa.
The discussion is part of a weeklong PBS "Spotlight City Series," broadcasts from the Tampa area that include discussions on news reporting and environmental sustainability efforts.
PBS "NewsHour" correspondent Paul Solman joked that the transportation panel was not balanced to encourage criticism of the local initiatives as panel members were consistent with their message: The area's economic vitality depends on providing mobility options beyond highways.
"The city, county and region have every asset you can imagine, except for modern transit," Iorio said.
Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority chief executive David Armijo responded to a question about how minorities might be affected by rail by stating that plans for light rail, yet to be finalized, would appear to serve Hispanic and black communities.
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