Groundwork Jacksonville leaders hope to leverage gas tax allotment to raise private dollars for Emerald Trail bizjournals.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bizjournals.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Editorial: Gas tax increase is a good investment in Jacksonville
Our View
The City Council is expected to take a final vote Wednesday on whether to double the local option gas tax from six cents to 12 cents.
Raising the tax would generate about $1 billion over 30 years to pay for badly needed transportation infrastructure projects like roads, bus stops, sidewalks, drainage, bridges and other improvements. And it would free up money in the city budget to phase out our failing septic tanks, which are an increasing threat to the St. Johns River.
Mayor Lenny Curry’s proposal has received some resistance from taxpayers who don’t want their taxes raised, even though a 12-cent gas tax would cost the average driver less than $100 a year.
Guest column: It’s time for the city to invest in Emerald Trail, riverfront
Your turn
Riverfront Parks Now urges our city leaders to fund the Emerald Trail and its sister projects, the restoration of McCoy’s and Hogans Creeks, whether that comes from the proposed gas tax, stimulus funding, or other sources. The city’s funding commitment will provide a strong platform for completing these projects with the support of partners, neighborhoods, and businesses.
The Emerald Trail will bring investment, quality of life and connectivity across N Northside and Eastside neighborhoods, and with the creek restorations, will address flooding problems and increase public access to our downtown riverfront.