Governor Rick Scott and his minions are out of control, this must be stopped (Miami: buy, upkeep)

[crazynip]

Howard Frankland Bridge may someday become toll route, says top transit official - Tampa Bay Times

He must be voted out.

[Pragmaticus]

You want to use it? Pay the toll! What is the deal?

[Tim Tim Tim]

I have mixed emotions about this.

If they lowered our taxes I would be fine with paying tolls

[BucFan]

Take your pick. Raise our taxes or pay a toll. Someone has to pay for upkeep.

[TXRyan23]

As someone that used to live in the area (raised for 17 years), my family hardly ever ventured into Pinellas County, However, 275 between Tampa/St. Pete is a MAJOR highway, I think it's extortion to put a toll on that bridge. They'll end up forcing people to take the Causeway or the Gandy and making traffic an even bigger nightmare than it already is.

Houston has 2-3 tollways and I always take the long way around to avoid them because I refuse to pay or don't have the change on me.

Wanted to add, It's even worse that the State is already taking our gas taxes for infrastructure (which is what it's for) but now they say they're not getting enough so they want to tax you MORE. Eventually, the tolls won't be enough either.

[TXRyan23]

Originally Posted by BucFan

Take your pick. Raise our taxes or pay a toll. Someone has to pay for upkeep.

You're paying a gas tax for upkeep, It's not the taxpayers fault that gas prices have risen so high that no one can afford to drive, so you get hit again. Might as well just buy more gas to avoid the tolls..

If you don't buy gas, and avoid driving on the Howard Frankland Bridge, they'll just add tolls to the Gandy and the Causeway too, they won't stop until they pad their budgets.

[Tampaite]

Can we just re-call this guy?

Why not stop all the tax breaks to sports stadiums and companies in FL? that will be more than enough to pay for maintenance!!!

Link: Florida lawmakers exempt Miami from taxes on new Marlins stadium garages - Little Havana / Flagami - MiamiHerald.com (http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/12/2690457/florida-lawmakers-exempt-miami.html - broken link)

"A clause in Miami’s agreement with the Marlins makes the city responsible for any taxes."

Why would a city(a public utility) agree to pay taxes for a private firm?

[TXRyan23]

Originally Posted by Tampaite

Why would a city(a public utility) agree to pay taxes for a private firm?

Miami-Dade Government as well as the Marlins are under investigation by the SEC for their shady dealings, eventually, the hammers going to drop on them so don't worry, they'll get theirs.

[crazynip]

Originally Posted by MeInDenudinFL

You want to use it? Pay the toll! What is the deal?

It's a public road, we pay for them with our gas taxes.

[TXRyan23]

Originally Posted by crazynip

It's a public road, we pay for them with our gas taxes.

They might as well just put in a toll at Malfunction Junction in all directions..