Tax Increase OKed To Raise Teacher Pay: Pasco Co. Election Results

PASCO COUNTY, FL — Pasco County voters said "yes" to raising the school millage rate to pay public school teachers and support staff, including bus drivers, more money.

With all 120 precincts reporting, 54,523 voters agreed to more money for teachers while 38,523 gave the referendum the thumbs down in the unofficial results.

Scroll down for real-time updates of election results. Refresh this page for updates.

With the one mil increase in the ad valorem taxe from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2027, Pasco County School will raise up to $37 million each year for teacher salaries. One mil equals $1 for every $1,000 of taxable property value.

The Pasco County School Board put the referendum on the ballot because the pay rate for Pasco County public school teachers is lower than all surrounding counties, and the salaries for school bus drivers are so low the county can't find enough people willing to drive school buses.

The low pay rate for teachers has resulted in the county starting the new school year with a deficit of teachers and to eliminate bus service for middle and high school students living within 2 miles of their schools due to the district's dwindling contingent of bus drivers.

Bilirakis Wins 12th District

With all 87 precincts reporting in Pasco County, longtime U.S. Rep. Mike Bilirakis handily won the Republican nomination for the 12 District U.S. House seat with 33,567 votes.

Opponent Jack Martin received 2,543 votes, followed by Chris Leiser with 1,621 votes, Brian Perras had 1,330 votes, and Sid Preskitt had 745 votes.

Pasco's Voting History

Traditionally, Pasco County is a blue county, and political analysts have no reason to think the county will suddenly change to red.

Of Pasco's 406,922 registered voters, 165,238 are Republican, 114,464 are Democrats, 119,054 have no party affiliation and 8,166 have a minor party affiliation.

There were 303,800 Pasco residents who voted in the 2020 presidential election with 59.36 percent of voters casting ballots for Donald Trump while 39.35 percent voted for Joseph R. Biden.

Pasco County: Primary Election 2022 Results For State And Judicial Races

>> Real-time results for Pasco County races are below, via the Florida Division of Elections. Use the scroll bar on the right to see more.

Be sure to refresh this page for updated results throughout the night. Can't see the widget? Click here to open in a new tab.

Pasco County: School Board Primary Election 2022 Results

>> Real-time results for Pasco County school board races are below. Be sure to refresh this page for updated results throughout the night.Can't see the widget? Click here to open in a new tab.