Hillsborough Circuit Court Judge James Whittemore heard
arguments Friday on a challenge being made by former Tampa Mayor
Bill Poe to prevent a half-cent sales tax designed to help fund a
new Bucs stadium from going before voters September 3, according
to the TAMPA TRIBUNE. Joe Henderson writes a decision could come
as early as today. In court, Poe's attorney, Thomas Morrison,
argued that including the Bucs stadium as part of the $2.7B
Community Investment Tax is an "unconstitutional use of public
money to benefit a private corporation." He added ballot
language voters will consider is "unclear" because it refers to a
"community stadium." In response, Hillsborough County Attorney
Emeline Acton noted that only 11.7% of the tax will go toward the
Bucs facility with the remainder being used for schools, police
and public works projects (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 8/26).
TAX TALK: In Tampa, the TRIBUNE's Joe Henderson writes,
"Love it or hate it ... the tax package represents one of the
biggest decisions ever for the city and county." He notes, that
while polls show voters are split on the tax issue in its
entirety, one thing in which people are united is "their dislike
for spending money on a new stadium" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 8/26).
Business columnist Mickie Valente writes the "big problem much of
the public has with the latest tax proposal can be summed up in
one word: [Bucs Owner Malcolm] Glazer." (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 8/25).
Martin Fennelly of the TRIBUNE writes even with the NFL regular
season set to begin Sunday, September 3 "is the only day that
matters" for the Bucs. Fennelly: "The choice is yours. Is it
luxury box or lame duck? Is it The Beard or The Boot?" (TAMPA
TRIBUNE, 8/25).
