Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings has proposed adding a penny sales tax referendum to the November ballot. Demings says the tax increase is “critical for improving the region’s deficient transportation network,” but has not specified the proportions of funding that would be allocated to SunRail, Lynx or roadways.
occurs through induced demand. Wider roads encourage higher speeds during off-peak periods, and higher speeds increase the severity of traffic crashes and the likelihood of fatalities. Our region is regularly cited as the most dangerous for cyclists and pedestrians; safety must be the top priority for road improvements.
¶ Penny sales tax must be used for sustainable transportation
4. Build an integrated, multimodal transportation system: A sizable portion of the sales tax should be used to build quality pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. These facilities should be prioritized near transit station areas to enable first/last mile access and to encourage compact, walkable development that supports transit.
The Orange County sales tax referendum is a historic opportunity to transform the quality of life in our community. However, it is a big ask, especially for low-income residents who rely on transit, for citizens to increase their own taxes for transportation. Therefore, the revenue must be used effectively and efficiently. To ensure our support, we, the members of Central Floridians for Public Transit, make the following requests. 1. The majority of revenues should go to transit: Orange County’s analysis of 11,000 survey responses shows that building a mass transit system is the No. 1 priority of our residents. MetroPlan Orlando’s outreach for its 2045 Plan also shows mass transit as the #1 top desired change. It is clear that Central Floridians want and need frequent, fast and convenient mass transit.
5. Coordinate land use and affordable housing to maximize investment: To maximize investments, Orange County should enact land use regulations that encourage ridership and economic development adjacent to new transit routes and Complete Streets investments. Examples of supportive land use policies include appropriate transit-supportive densities, removing bans on multifamily housing, planning for affordable housing, encouraging mixed-use development and reducing parking requirements.
Question: I came out of the bar I was in, and my car was keyed badly with some words that I am sure my ex-girlfriend wrote. She also later posted about it on her Facebook page which I screenshot before she deleted it. Can I sue her? Answer: “Crazy little thing called love.” In my 25 years of legal experience, most of my nutty stories deal with someone who did not handle a breakup well. The simple answer is “Yes.” You can sue her in small claims court and possibly file criminal charges. A little information for those of you who think Facebook, Instagram, and
2. Improve the rider experience with better amenities: In addition to badly needed improvements to frequency, route optimization and transit priority, the sales tax should fund holistic improvements to enhance the overall experience. This includes shelters and seating at stops, integrated payment systems, better wayfinding and real-time transit information.
The decisions Orange County makes this year may impact the lives of Central Floridians for decades to come. CFL4Transit and its coalition partners want to ensure that revenues from the sales tax increase will lead to a more accessible, reliable, sustainable and equitable future. We look forward to collaborating with Orange County to help shape a transformative vision for transportation in our community.
other social media posts are not admissible in a court of law, you are
3. Roadway projects should focus on safety, reliability and connectivity — not widening: Wider roads are less safe for all users and roadway widenings do not reduce congestion. In fact, the very opposite often
Central Floridians for Public Transit is a grassroots coalition of transit riders and enthusiasts advocating for accessible, safe, reliable, healthy and sustainable public transit choices in our region.
of the misdemeanor charge or if the damages were a thousand dollars
‘I HARDLY KNEW HER!’
mistaken. Most attorneys do and will request your social media content. With what she did she can also be charged with criminal mischief. Since she willfully damaged your personal property, she could be guilty or more, a felony charge. Always better to upgrade than to show your misery.
BY CLAY JONES
mobile
#546
CAR ACCIDENTS / OTHER INJURIES
orlandoweekly.com
●
FEB. 2-8, 2022 ● ORLANDO WEEKLY
7
