Four Speak Out Against Gas-Tax Hike; County Vote Set for April 11

By Duane Marsteller, The Bradenton Herald, Fla.

Mar. 21–BRADENTON — Four residents stepped up to a rostrum and publicly criticized the county’s push to raise the tax it levies on gasoline sales by 5 cents.

That was the sum total of a public hearing on the subject — four people who were opposed.

Manatee County Commissoners, while respecting their previous notice that people would be heard on the issue today, also previously had said they would continue the hearing on April 11 and possibly take a vote at that time.

As expected, Manatee County Commissioners put off a vote for or against the gas-tax hike until April 11 at 11 a.m., saying they wanted a full commission seated when the vote was taken. Today, Commissioner Joe McClash was absent.

In other related action, commissioners talked about a workshop to explore alternative funding proposals to pay for needed transportation and roads.

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