Politics & Government
Manatee Sales Tax Referendum: Did Voters Get It Right?
Voters rejected a ballot initiative that would have added a half-cent sales tax to pay for indigent health care but approved property tax breaks for new businesses.
A controversial referendum that would have increased the sales tax in Manatee County to pay for health care programs was rejected by voters Tuesday, with 60 percent voting no.
A total of 23,710 voters, or 60.8 percent, voted against the initiative to add a one-half cent sales surtax for a 10-year period to fund health care services for residents who are "indigent or medically poor."
There were 15,280 votes, or 39.18 percent, in favor of the referendum, according to results posted online Tuesday by the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections.
Proponents had argued the sales tax hike would allow the county to significantly reduce property taxes.
Voters did approve a second referendum that will allow county commissioners to grant property tax exemptions to new businesses and expansions of existing businesses that are expected to create new, full-time jobs in Manatee.
That question received 20,396 "yes" votes, or 52.53 percent. There were 18,424 "no votes (47.46 percent).
Speak Out: Did voters make the right call on the tax referendum questions? Post a comment below and join the conversation.
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