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Bass Pro Shops

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

What's Hillsborough Saying?

Al Higginbotham: Have Recent Votes Hurt His Chances?

The County Commissioner from East Hillsborough is running for a countywide seat in 2014, but some are saying his stand on two recent controversial issues will hurt him in the long run. We’d like to get your thoughts!

Hillsborough County Commissioner Al Higginbotham is in for a fight in 2014 – one that some say he’s going to have an increasingly difficult time winning. The District 4 commissioner from East Hillsborough County is running for a countywide seat on the board. While his strong support base of Eastern Hillsborough Republicans has carried him through in the past, skeptics say Higginbotham is going to have a hard time overcoming his own voting record when residents countywide turn out to the polls in 2014. 2 Possible Sticking Points The Tampa Tribune calls into question Higginbotham’s ability to overcome two recent decisions it says have cast the commissioner in a less-than-positive light with those who don’t share his conservative views. They …

George

3:55 pm on Thursday, April 4, 2013

Just for the record (in answer to George Newman's comment), I don't have it in for Commissioner Higginbotham. However, I found him to be less than truthful on a whole host of issues which I cited examples of in an earlier comment. The items I cited are a matter of record. I realize that Higginbotham supporters may not want to acknowledge these inadequacies and may want to turn a blind eye to them…   more ›

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

What's Hillsborough Saying?

Bass Pro Shops: Was County Right to Invest $6.25 Million?

The Hillsborough County Commission has agreed to set aside $6.25 million to repay developers for road construction projects that will ultimately serve customers of Bass Pro’s new location. We’d like to get your thoughts on the issue.

Hillsborough County Commission Chairman Ken Hagan says the math is simple. The county pays out up to $6.5 million to help a developer build roads that will benefit not only Bass Pro Shops, but also a number of other businesses. In return, it will get nearly $3 million in combined property and sales taxes collected on the Brandon area parcel each year. The land only generates about $800 a year in property tax revenues now. Based on those figures, the taxpayers will get their money back in only a few years while continuing to see a large increase in property and sales taxes thanks to the development. Commissioner Kevin Beckner opposed using county dollars to help pay for the road project. He said he fears the county is turning into a “…

Joni Colver

3:28 pm on Tuesday, April 9, 2013

I believe it is corporate entitlement. Whatever happened to businesses and developers paying impact fees? I am also strongly opposed to tax-funded sports stadiums. Why are taxpayers paying for bills that rightfully should and easily could be paid by the people who profit the most, the investors/businesses/developers?   more ›

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