Orange County commissioners voted on Tuesday to put the transportation 1% sales-tax proposal on the ballot in November. “Officials have estimated the increase of the sales tax from 6.5% to 7.5% on taxable goods and services would reel in about $600 million annually and transform the lagging transportation system into a ‘world-class’ one with more buses and trains, as well as safer streets for bikers and walkers,” wrote Stephen Hudak and Ryan Gillespie of the Orlando Sentinel. Read more in the Orlando Sentinel.
In a statement, Catherine Steck McManus, President & CEO of Habitat for Humanity Greater Orlando & Osceola County, applauded the decision:
“We are grateful to the Orange County Commission for their courage and vision in putting the issue of transportation funding in the hands of Orange County voters, and extend a special thank you to Mayor Demings for his leadership in bringing our community to this point.
Transportation, housing, and sustainable prosperity are inextricably linked — so many of the projects proposed by Orange County’s transportation initiative can — and will — lead to transformational change in the way we think and plan for housing, growth, and the future of our families.
Improving Orange County’s transportation infrastructure and transit systems through a comprehensive plan of action and funding creates the opportunity to transform the quality of life for all in our region, with a particularly positive impact on the workers, elders, families, and students who rely upon transit.
Now is the time to invest further in our world-class community, and to plan for the prosperity of future families and generations. We look forward to working in coordination and partnership with all of our community stakeholders in the months and years ahead.”
Learn more about the transportation initiative on Orange County’s website.
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