5-Cent Gas Tax Hike Coming?
Pasco Commissioners are considering an increase in the local option gas tax. The hike would have Land O’ Lakes motorists paying a nickel more at the pumps.
Land O’ Lakes motorists struggling with high prices at the pumps might soon find themselves paying a nickel more a gallon.
Pasco County Commissioners were asked during a workshop Tuesday, March 12, to consider raising the local fee from 7 cents to 12 cents, according to The Tampa Tribune. The reason lies in the county’s need to generate more money for road repair and maintenance. A raise in the tax would produce nearly $8 million a year that could be used improve roads throughout the county.
Mike Garrett, the county’s public works director, says his department is underfunded when it comes to meeting road maintenance and repair needs. Understaffing is also a problem. Right now, it can take up to 26 days for county staff to repair a pothole simply because of short staffing, The Tribune reported.
Commissioners have until May to decide if they want to pursue the 5-cent hike. If they do, a public hear would take place in July. Should the raise be approved, it would go into effect Jan. 1, 2014.
Would you be willing to pay 5 cents more for road repairs? Share your thoughts by taking the poll or voicing them in the comments section.
Need to save at the pumps? Be sure to check the Land O' Lakes Patch Commute section before you fill up!
Danielle
9:37 am on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Seriously! With the unemployment soaring and people trying to make ends meet, this is not the time to do this rate hike. I don't mind waiting for a pot hole to be repaired. Think about the low income and middle class before doing this tax hike. Schools and hospitals are understaffed and most businesses are understaffed, so that is no exception to the norm right now.
George Carlson
8:59 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
I would be in favor of voting Out these conmissioners next election or maybe even a recall before then
Cindy White
12:39 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
I'm not willing to pay one more dime at the pump or in any other kind of tax. The government needs to learn how to get by on less, just like the taxpayers have had to. If they are understaffed, get some freaking inmates from the Pasco jail out there filling potholes!
pam
2:38 pm on Sunday, March 17, 2013
County road out here worse than the private roads I pay to maintain - guess I will be getting my gas in another county - which means shopping more in other county also
George Carlson
9:26 am on Monday, March 18, 2013
The County has already recieved Federal and State Money for road improvment but it looks as though they spent this money on Subdivision roads for developers projects. We are looking into this
Mark S. Hankins
8:26 pm on Monday, March 18, 2013
Washington is hammering the American people with tax increases of every kind and the County wants to get into the act? How out of touch can they possibly be?!?! Looks like it's time or another round of incumbent-dumping.