Proposed sales-tax hike lands union endorsement
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ ongoing effort to convince voters to approve a penny-per-dollar sales-tax increase for transportation won a key endorsement this week from a union representing 70,000 Central Florida workers, including Lynx bus drivers.
The Central Florida AFL-CIO council voted unanimously to back the tax, expected to be on the Nov. 8 ballot.
“We believe that not only will members of our labor council benefit at the bargaining table but also our members who use Lynx transportation will benefit from more reliable systems to get to work on a daily basis,” Eric Clinton, president of the labor council, said Thursday.
The mayor and labor leaders announced the endorsement at Lynx’ Central Station on Garland Avenue downtown.
Demings’ proposal also has won backing from city councils and most chambers of commerce in Orange County.
“But this is labor. This is different,” he said after the press briefing. “These are the workers saying we support you on this.”
He said it was crucial for workers to see themselves benefitting from the sales tax to create an efficient transportation system.
The proposed penny-per-dollar increase on taxable goods and services, estimated to raise about $600 million per year for 20 years, would be earmarked for transportation projects and monitored by a citizen oversight board. The county’s proposed spending plan includes expansions of Lynx and SunRail, the region’s commuter train, and improvements aimed at untangling traffic congestion.
The blueprint also promises to make the county safer for pedestrians and bicyclists.
Orange County commissioners voted, 4-3, last month to advance the tax to the general election ballot.
Commissioners Emily Bonilla, Victoria Siplin and Nicole Wilson voted against the tax proposal, a key plank of the mayor’s platform four years ago when he was first elected. Wilson wanted more of the proceeds dedicated to SunRail, Lynx and bicycle and pedestrian safety.
Clinton said the union members include cooks, custodians and housekeepers, many of whom rely on public transit.
He pledged labor’s help to convince voters to pass the referendum, which would raise the county sales tax from 6.5% to 7.5%.
“All of our affiliate unions are going to go out and talk to their members. We’re going to knock on their doors. We’re going to send them pieces of mail. We’re going to make telephone calls,” Clinton said of unions for workers at the airport, in classrooms, hotels, restaurants and at Disney. “It is absolutely critical that they have better ways to get to and from work each and every day.”
Tim Giuliani, president and CEO of the Orlando Economic Partnership, said the tax would raise millions — more than half paid by tourists — to help Central Florida win millions more in competitive federal infrastructure grants, recently approved by Congress.
“If the time isn’t now, we lose out on all that opportunity to have a dedicated funding source for Lynx, to add to SunRail, to create improved roads, to improve safety in our community,” he said.