An economic development task force has recommended that Hillsborough County "aggressively" push for a 1-cent sales tax next year to fund mass transit.
Bob Abberger, chairman of a 12-member Economic Stimulus Task Force, told county commissioners today that a multi-modal transportation system is a key ingredient in bringing high-paying jobs to the county.
"Mobility is going to be key and solving our mobility problems is going to be a key component of our outreach to corporate America," Abberger said. He added that the commission should "carefully consider supporting and aggressively marketing the referendum next year" on a 1-cent sales tax for transportation.
The commission voted in April to start work on language for the sales tax referendum that would be put before voters in November 2010. The commission will make a final decision on approving the referendum in September after it gets a recommendation from the county's 21-member transportation task force.
Abberger also said the county needs a more focused economic development strategy that includes streamlined permitting for incoming businesses. He stressed that fast-tracking permits and zoning should only be in special "overlay" districts located along mass transit corridors. Commissioners need to assure people in rural areas that the streamlined permitting will not encourage sprawl, he said.
"There are a lot of people who won't ride a train in the future, but if they know you are protecting their way of life" they might support the referendum, he said.
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