Extra penny tax would transform transportation in Orange Co.
Tuesday, April 26 marks Decision Day, the day we choose whether to let our residents decide their transportation future — or shortsightedly stop it before the people have the chance to vote. Tuesday is when the Orange County Board of County Commissioners decides whether or not to put the Transportation Sales Tax Initiative on the fall ballot.
Since 2019, I have spoken extensively how the Transportation Sales Tax Initiative, one cent extra on the dollar, would present a transformative opportunity to improve Orange County’s transportation system and our overall quality of life. The initiative is expected to raise nearly $600 million annually, with 51 percent of the tax paid by visitors.
It would improve east-west connectivity, which is lacking in Orange County, and offer better connections to all four corners of our county, as well as all points in between.
Transit would benefit. The additional funds would improve Lynx — with more buses, improved routes and service times, as well as more express bus routes with fewer stops and direct service. It would improve SunRail — with service to Orlando International Airport, weekend and late-night service, as well as a long-term goal to expand to Apopka and beyond. It would allow for Bus Rapid Transit, with dedicated bus lanes on several main thoroughfares.
Drivers would benefit too. Our plan would upgrade major road intersections, improve existing roadways and get roads repaved sooner. It would implement high tech solutions to move traffic more efficiently with advanced traffic signal technology.
The initiative would address the dire state of bicycle and pedestrian safety, with better and more protected bike lanes, upgraded pedestrian safety along roadways, and improved technology to eliminate crashes involving vehicles and those walking or biking. Improved work zone safety and increased roadway and pedestrian lighting are also part of our plan.
Local residents would not shoulder the burden of the tax increase alone. More than half of the monies raised would come from visitors to Orange County. The Transportation Sales Tax would not be collected on essential food items, such as bread or milk. Prescription drugs would also be exempt, as would utilities.
Eleven municipalities in Orange County would also receive funding for hometown transportation needs and projects. As of today, seven of the 11 county municipalities have gone on record with resolutions of support.
While the monies would bring improvements to the transportation system, the impacts would be felt well beyond. As we have seen along existing transit corridors, including SunRail, better transportation options bring new businesses and it supports existing ones, which would yield billions of dollars of investment, job growth and tax revenues during the next 20 years. Transit-oriented development also encourages mixed use and higher density housing, mitigating the affordable housing shortage. Better land use would preserve open spaces. Better and cleaner mass transit could reduce tailpipe emissions, making for a healthier environment.
The public’s trust in the process is vital. Transparency is a major part of the initiative. Our plan has guardrails that set up governance, oversight and a framework that ensures proper and fair spending, budgeting and planning for transportation improvements.
A transportation trust fund would be established that protects the money from being used for other purposes. The ordinance creates both a Technical
Committee and a
Citizens’ Oversight
Board. Your Board of County Commissioners would vote on the expenditures. Your elected
Comptroller would audit the trust fund for compliance purposes.
In short, the
Transportation Sales
Tax Initiative would be an economic driver that creates jobs, opportunities and connectivity for decades to come. However, it first needs to be placed on the fall ballot by a vote of the Board of County Commissioners. It is important that a majority of commissioners vote in the affirmative on Tuesday, to make sure county voters have the opportunity to decide the sales tax increase for themselves. I urge you to contact your commissioner and express your desire to allow this issue to go to a vote of the people. Commissioners saying “yes” on April 26 to advance this to the November ballot is a critical first step for the future of our community.
As we have seen along existing transit corridors, including SunRail, better transportation options bring new businesses and it supports existing ones, which would yield billions of dollars of investment, job growth and tax revenues during the next 20 years.