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No New Escambia 3-Cent Gas Tax For Mass Transit
June 19, 2009
Escambia County commissioners Thursday night did not approve a 3-cent gas tax to help fund mass transit.
The commission voted 3-2 in favor of the tax with District 5 Commissioner Kevin White and District 1 Commissioner Wilson Robertson voting against. The tax needed a “super majority” of four votes in favor to pass.
“I can’t in this economy,” Robertson said. “And I don’t want to hear that ‘you’re not compassionate about the needy’. Hey, we are going to fund mass transit as we always do. But why put a brand new tax on it?”
Robertson called for the City of Pensacola to step up with funds for Escambia County Area Transit. The city has put well over $1 million a year into ECAT in the past but now contributes nothing.
“ECAT has some problems, and it will continue to have problems as long as it does not have a dedicated funding source,” said Sherri Myers who spoke in favor of the tax. “This is a tax swap, not a tax increase. I am asking you to do the right thing.”
The commission had discussed rolling back, or “swapping”, the property tax by an amount equal to estimated revenue from the 3-cent gas tax. That, they said, would shift the mass transit funding burden from property owners to those that drive.
“I don’t agree with this tax, or any tax, unless it is brought before the people for a vote,” Escambia resident Jacob Knight said. “I know we need a transportation system, but things have slowed down. You may be making a lot of money, but a lot of people can not afford it.”
“I’m here in favor of ECAT this evening. I personally don’t like taxes,” said Evon Emerson, president of the Pensacola Chamber of Commerce, adding that ECAT allows some residents to have a job. “There are times in this community when we need to do things that do not benefit us personally…but at the end of the day will benefit all of us.”
Escambia County current contributes about $3 million of ECAT’s$7.6 million budget. The rest of the funds come from federal and state funds.
The City of Pensacola, which currently contributes no funding to ECAT, passed a resolution recently in favor of the 3-cent gas tax. Monday night, the Century Town Council refused to support the tax, citing fears that ECAT would cut Century’s only bus. Additionally, town council members said the additional tax would hurt gas stations in the town that already sell gas about 10 cents higher than stations in nearby Flomaton, Alabama.
Comments
10 Responses to “No New Escambia 3-Cent Gas Tax For Mass Transit”
Where does is state the government is required to pay for community transportation, and if it does we should change that. There is no reason the community or government is required to provide for anyone elses way to work, the mall, shopping, to get your groceries, or any damned thing else you get your ride for. These giveaways must be stopped. Thats what we have charity organizations for. And that does not mean the government gives to the charities either. That needs to stop also. Just my .02
My compliments to these two gentlemen who put decency and common sense ahead of political expediancy. We the productive few in this county are already nickeled and dimed into the poorhouse,we certainly did not need yet another three cent drain on our dwindling resources.Hats off to the two brave commisioners for stopping this nonsense.
Senior Goerge Bush said it best ,( “Read my lips No New Taxes”).
THANKS, Mr. White and Mr. Robertson. I’m sure this makes you two look like the “bad guys”, but to the ones who are not going to benefit from new taxes this makes you look like HEROS. Until the city pitches in their three million to match the county I say ECAT should support itself. Everyone has to make hard choices but it’s only right for the people who benefit from ECAT pay for it.
If the city of pensacola sees no need to help support ECAT, stop driving ECAT Busses in the city. Thanks to Mr. Robertson and Mr. White for their votes. If public transportation is mandated, I wonder to what degree.
Thank you Mr.White and Mr. Robertson, for a well done job. This is why I like the county government as it is. We have elected the one’s who will speak for us. Once again, all we make is one phone call and our voice is heard. It does not get any simplier. We may not agree on ever thing that is voted on, but it is much better than being under the rule of a city that does not understand us or care for our voice.Had we been under a consolidated form of government I am afraid that this tax would have been passed. I would just like to remind everyone , we have the most direct control on our voice in government , And it is in our best interest not to be rule by a consolidated government. So do not let anyone fool you in to thinking that you can be better represented. You can’t. This proves it .
Can we at least agree the ECAT should just stay “South” of Nine Mile Rd and don’t worry about the “North” end of the county. Every time the downtown crowed wants something they always say it is good for the county. Let the county maintain their current support along with the federal and state and the City of Pensacola start doing their part for funds to take care of the rest. I commend Commissioners’ White and Robertson for their common “cents” approach for saving the county taxes payers this additional burden. Kevin and Wilson keep up the good work; at least we have two individuals on the commission representing the people. Sorry if I offended any one who rides the bus north of 9 mile rd, but my money is tight just like everyone else.
Good thinking Mr Roberts and Mr White. Its no time to be increasing taxes. People and I include the People that take care of City and County business, need to realize that we are in slow times and quit just igoreing it and going full speed ahead as if there were no tomorrow. Tighten your belts a little it will do us all good and watch the funds you do have and spend wisely. We will get through these times and all will be back to normal. The City of Pensacola is the one that benefits most from the ECAT system so they NEED to step up to the plate.
Thank you Mr White for your no vote.
I’m curious where the sense in the tax evne stands. You would tax people who can, most times not with any great luxury, afford their own transportation, to also pay for those who can’t? Don’t get me wrong, I understand the need for public transportation. Public transportation has many benefits, both to the public and to the environment, however, to tax the middle class on gas, something which is already overpriced, is not the way for it. A lot of ECAT routes are in the city limits, why are able to reap it’s benefits, but the city funding not expected to pay for it?
Just my two cents on things.