It will be difficult, dangerous and plain foolish to balance next year's budget through spending cuts alone. So why is there no discussion of an increase in the county gasoline tax? With every single source of revenue in decline, and little reason to expect a reversal anytime soon, the BOCC must look for additional sources of income. Five cents per gallon would generate $20 million for Hillsborough County. Such a broad-based tax would create significant revenue while minimizing the pain. It is hard to argue an additional $1 per tankful is an unmanageable burden when gas was $2 a gallon higher just a few months ago. But this is more than a source of badly needed funds. It is the type of policy we need to wean ourselves off oil and reduce emissions. No one likes a tax increase, but compared to some of the budget cuts being proposed, it is the lesser evil. As one local baseball manager might say, 5 cents equals $20 million. ...more

May 2, 2009

The U.S. House on Wednesday approved a major expansion of federally funded health coverage for children, a measure that would slam cigar manufacturers in Tampa and across the country with a big tax increase. ...more

January 15, 2009

TAMPA In spite of a forecast that suggested gas prices would remain stable, costs at the pump went up by more than five cents per gallon last week in Florida. ...more

January 2, 2008

In spite of a forecast that suggested gas prices would remain stable, costs at the pump went up by more than five cents per gallon last week in Florida. ...more

December 31, 2007

In an effort to give back to the communities it serves, Suncoast Schools Federal Credit Union has introduced a new innovative check card to aid education. ...more

October 20, 2007