Pasco County Commission votes down 5 cent gas tax hike
By Beau Zimmer of 10News WTSP
One after another, Pasco County residents lined up Tuesday night in opposition to a 5 cent take hike for a gallon of gas. "Our citizens cannot afford another tax," said one of the first speakers. "I'm just appalled you'd even consider raising taxes in these economic times," said another opponent.
"Our infrastructure is both aging and falling apart. I am both aging and falling apart and I oppose this gasoline tax," said an elderly Pasco resident to the cheers of others. Those were just a few of the comments from a long line of concerned citizens dead set against paying any more at the pump. County transportation officials say the estimated $8.1 million the gas tax would raise is badly needed to repair the county's aging roads, fix potholes, and pay for street lights. "Some of our roads, I mean major roads, the street lighting is not there," said commissioner Pat Mulieri, who strongly supported the tax. Read more and watch video here: 10News WTSP