By Jim Bleyer There is no shortage of Tampa Bay media lackeys that gladly genuflect for Jeff “Transit Tax” Vinik. “Vinik to relaunch asset management firm: ‘The fire still burns in my belly” bleated the headline dutifully penned by the Tampa Bay Business Journal. This would be …
By Mark Calvert, from Eye on Tampa Bay Sharon Calvert exposed for the first time the impact of the All For Transportation tax hike on commercial leases. What are some of the implications for the owners and renters of commercial buildings? Let’s take a look. Commercial lease taxes money …
By Mark Calvert, from Eye on Tampa Bay Curiously, the Tampa Bay Times recently started reporting the All for Transportation tax hike in Hillsborough County will raise $15.8 billion over 30 years, while they consistently called it at $280 million per year, $9 billion tax before and just after …
By Sharon Calvert, from Eye on Tampa Bay All for Transportation’s $16 Billion tax hike was created by a few urbanist transit advocates over drinks. Their campaign funded by special interests sold their creation as a 30-year “plan” to fix transportation in Hillsborough County. But there is no plan …
By Jim Bleyer Developer Jeff Vinik’s six-month, multi-million dollar propaganda campaign aimed at hoodwinking Hillsborough County residents into voting themselves the highest sales tax rate in Florida passed by a large margin Tuesday. Voters by 57-43 approved the $16 billion, 30-year transit tax that will bring the county’s …
By Jim Bleyer Jeff Vinik has always been a big con, from his student days at Riverdale Country School in the Bronx to his career as a hedge fund manager in Boston to his reinvention as a sports team owner and developer in Tampa. His latest con is …
By Sharon Calvert, from Eye on Tampa Bay The billionaires are entitled. They buy off the media. They bankroll a deceptive advertising campaign for a massive tax hike that never mentions the word “tax”. They want to shut down any debate about their $16 Billion rail tax boondoggle in …
By Jim Bleyer Sure, the legendary Wall Street misanthrope Gordon Gekko is more chiseled and less rumpled than Tampa wheeler dealer Jeff Vinik, but there is no argument the duo share many characteristics. Both are charming, manipulative people whose goal of enhancing …
By Sharon Calvert, from Eye on Tampa Bay The Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization is dysfunctional and in need of a big housecleaning: a new Executive Director and new staff. The MPO earlier this year sided with proponents of the proposed one pecent sales tax increase as it began its …
By Scott Myers, Contributor There are three key items (one state-wide amendment and two Hillsborough County referenda) on the upcoming November 6, 2018 general election ballot pertaining to taxes for Hillsborough County citizens, that require thoughtful deliberation before casting your vote: 1. Florida Amendment 1 • This amendment would …
