All For Transportation Launches Campaign To Approve Referendum

TAMPA, FL -- Now that the amendment has made the Nov. 6 ballot, All for Transportation wants residents to know what they'll be asked to vote for when they head to the polls.

The citizen-led effort to support increased local funding for roads and transportation exceeded the 49,000 petition threshold required by law to secure a place on the November ballot, according to the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections.

“This is a historic moment. More than 70,000 thousand people in Hillsborough County have put a solution that funds transportation problems in front of their neighbors. We’ve waited far too long to solve a transportation crisis in Hillsborough County that is getting worse every day,” said Tyler Hudson, All for Transportation chairman. “The best time to act was 20 years ago; the second best time to act is today.”

Hundreds of volunteers and community leaders launched the All for Transportation petition drive seven weeks ago and thousands of people across the county signed the petition to place an amendment on the ballot for a 1-cent sales tax to fund transportation

See related story:

1-Cent Sales Tax Referendum For Transportation Makes It To The Ballot

“Without enough funding for transportation, the traffic where I live in Brandon continues to get worse," said All for Transportation volunteer Rena Upshaw Frazier. "Plus, Hillsborough County’s population is expected to grow by more than 700,000 people over the next 30 years. That’s why my neighbors and thousands of people from all over Hillsborough County signed the petition. The people have made it clear they won’t wait and they will be ready to vote ‘yes’ to fund transportation in November.”

If approved by a majority of voters in November, the All for Transportation proposal would fund transportation improvements throughout Hillsborough County including Tampa, Plant City, Temple Terrace, Brandon, Town n’ Country, and Sun City.

“Improvements would include improved roads and bridges, expanded public transit options, fixing potholes, enhanced bus service, relieving rush hour bottlenecks, improved intersections, and making walking and biking safer,” said Hudson. “All of these funds will be reviewed by an independent oversight committee and audited annually to make sure the funds are used as outlined in the plan that voters signed and will vote on in November.”

“I’m happy to be one of the Hillsborough voters that signed. This gets us one step closer to funding that will make rush hour easier, provide us more transit options and make our streets safe,” said East Tampa resident Gwen Myers. “I believe people will vote yes in November because the funding has clear oversight to make sure it’s spent on the community’s priorities.”

To learn more about All for Transportation, click here.

Images via All for Transportation

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