Finance:Penny for Pasco
Penny for Pasco is a voter-approved sales tax program by Pasco County, Florida, that charges a 1% tax on all goods in Pasco County up to $5,000.[1] The total revenue for the program is estimated to be $1.9 billion.[2]
History
The Penny for Pasco program was first introduced in 1995, though it was rejected by voters.[3] After several years of attempts, the Penny for Pasco Program passed on March 9, 2004, and went in to effect from January 1, 2005, through December 31, 2014.[4] The vote was 52 percent in favor, and 48 percent against the tax.[5]
On November 6, 2012, Penny for Pasco was voted again and extended the sales tax for another 10 years, extending the program until December 31, 2024.[6] The vote was 70 percent in favor, and 30 percent against the tax.[7]
On November 8, 2022, Penny for Pasco was voted again, extending the program for 15 additional years, until December 31, 2039.[8] The vote was 65 percent in favor, and 35 percent against the tax.[9][10]
Funding
The Penny for Pasco program funds several types of projects such as trails, parks, industry, office, infrastructure, and programs such as the Ready Sites Program, which funds industrial development.[11][12]
Allocation
The proceeds are split between the Pasco County Government and Pasco County Schools, which each receives 45% respectively, though Pasco County Government is split into separate services, and 10% gets split between cities:[13]
| Service / Munincipality | Share[1][14] |
|---|---|
| Pasco County Schools | 45% |
| Transportation | 18% |
| Economic Incentives | 9% |
| Environmental Lands | 9% |
| Public Safety | 9% |
| Zephyrhills | 3.59% |
| New Port Richey | 3.49% |
| Dade City | 1.52% |
| Port Richey | 0.64% |
| St. Leo | 0.49% |
| San Antonio | 0.27% |
| Total | 100% |
See also
- List of projects funded by Penny for Pasco
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 OpenGov. "Budget Book FY 2025" (in en). https://stories.opengov.com/pascocountyfl/52451cfa-7ef0-47ae-8626-c85136737e62/published/pfHqWJvaK?currentPageId=6699235db95c54ad2ad67db0.
- ↑ Camunas, Mike (2024-11-12). "Angeline Academy, Pasco County show off new athletic complex" (in en). https://www.tampabeacon.com/pasco_county/angeline-academy-pasco-county-show-off-new-athletic-complex/article_70f9f7f2-a122-11ef-a9ae-671e6cbef00b.html.
- ↑ Weil, Nancy. "Voters defeat penny increase" (in en). https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1995/09/13/voters-defeat-penny-increase/.
- ↑ Sant, Will Van. "Taxes pass in Hernando, Pasco" (in en). https://www.tampabay.com/archive/2004/03/10/taxes-pass-in-hernando-pasco/.
- ↑ Catalanello, Rebecca (March 10, 2004). "Pasco in for a Penny". Pasco Times: pp. 100. https://www.newspapers.com/image/329993544/?page=100.
- ↑ Writer, Times Staff. "Penny for Pasco wins easy approval" (in en). https://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/local/penny-for-pasco-wins-easy-approval/1260300/.
- ↑ Blair, Ronnie (November 7, 2012). "Penny for Pasco tax is renewed". The Pasco Tribune: pp. 1. https://www.newspapers.com/image/343072582/?match=1&page=1.
- ↑ Kopp, Craig (2022-11-09). "Bilirakis retains congressional seat and the Penny for Pasco renewal passes" (in en). https://www.wusf.org/politics-issues/2022-11-09/2022-pasco-election-results.
- ↑ White, D'Ann Lawrence (2022-11-09). "Back To School: Pasco County 2023-24 School Calendar" (in en). https://patch.com/florida/newportrichey/pasco-county-elections-ballot-count-underway-house-senate-seats.
- ↑ Camunas, Mike (2024-11-12). "Angeline Academy, Pasco County show off new athletic complex" (in en). https://www.tampabeacon.com/pasco_county/angeline-academy-pasco-county-show-off-new-athletic-complex/article_70f9f7f2-a122-11ef-a9ae-671e6cbef00b.html.
- ↑ "Local & State Incentives" (in en). https://pascoedc.com/incentives.
- ↑ Camunas, Mike; Cotey, John. "Pasco boom has meant construction projects galore. What's in the works?" (in en). https://www.tampabay.com/news/pasco/2025/07/13/amazon-super-target-hospital-road-construction-development/.
- ↑ Tampa, Sarah Blazonis. "Penny for Pasco up for second renewal by voters" (in en). https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2022/11/04/penny-for-pasco.
- ↑ "Penny for Pasco" (in en). https://www.pascocountyfl.gov/services/office_of_economic_growth/penny_for_pasco.php.
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