Workshop encourages voters to support penny sales tax increase
The Broward County Commission has placed a referendum on this November’s ballot to approve a penny sales tax to be dedicated exclusively to improvements and modernization of our transportation system. The county’s municipalities have joined this effort to finally launch a comprehensive plan to alleviate congestion and bring us a 21st century system.
Broward is dead last among Florida’s 67 counties in per capita funding for streets and highways. In the last decade, 62 out of 67 counties have followed state law to adopt a surtax to address needed improvements. We are admittedly late to this process, but now is our opportunity to move ahead.
Broward County’s transportation plan is the result of a collaborative effort with the Florida Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, Broward cities and the private sector.
The penny surtax will raise an estimated $300 million annually for new projects. Notably, 30 percent of it will be paid by tourists. Moreover, basics such as groceries, gas and prescription medicine are exempted from the tax.
When Amazon recently put our area on its shortlist for its second headquarters, our transportation system was cited as a shortcoming. Surveys of Broward residents consistently point to frustration with our congested roadways and lack of 21st century mobility solutions.
Over the last 40 years, the population of Broward County has doubled to almost 2 million residents, plus over 15 million visitors each year. We have the lowest unemployment in the state and our economic development is in full swing. With another 350,000-plus residents projected over the next 10 years, now is the time to get moving on these important transportation projects.
The modern, comprehensive transportation plan includes upgrades to roads and bridges, new fiber optics, smart signal systems, eco-friendly mass transit, and resiliency projects in a 21st century system. Check it out at: http://www.broward.org/pennyfortransportation/Pages/default.aspx
This referendum also mandates an independent Oversight Board to monitor projects and expenditures to ensure delivery on time and within budget.
Broward County government is known for balancing its budget and implementing award winning projects that benefit our community including parks, libraries, water and waste water, our airport and seaport projects, environmental programs, human rights protections and cultural facilities. The county is well positioned to steward this comprehensive transportation plan and to work closely with the public and private partners to truly create a modern, 21st century transportation plan.
The Broward Workshop, consisting of the CEOs of many of Broward’s largest employers, has voted to support the surtax referendum. We urge voters to get behind this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and vote Yes on Nov. 6.
George Platt is an attorney at LSN Partners, LLC and co-chair of the Transportation Committee of the Broward Workshop.