Welcome back to OnThePoint, I’m Greg C. Truax.
Remember when Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and City Council Chairman Alan Clendenin told taxpayers the city needed more money? In 2023, they pushed a 16 percent property tax increase.
Both said that essential services such as public safety, roads, parks, and housing couldn’t be adequately funded without higher taxes.
Fortunately, a majority of the City Council said no.
Now, Mayor Castor and Chairman Clendenin support committing roughly $180 million in city funds toward a new Rays stadium, while Hillsborough County would contribute another $796 million.
Taxpayers deserve an answer: If Tampa couldn’t afford its core responsibilities three years ago, why can it now afford to commit $180 million to a baseball project today?
From the NewsTalk 1040 studios, I’m Greg C. Truax
Greg C. Truax is president of GCTMediaGroup, a film production studio, online magazine publisher, radio commentator, and creator of written and broadcast opinion commentary.