Aug 13, 2024 - Politics

Tax referendum OK'd for Hillsborough ballots but commission vows to fight on

Yacob Reyes

Illustration of three dollar symbols on a piece of lined paper with a pencil. — Illustration: Shoshana Gordon/Axios

A tax referendum to give Hillsborough's sprawling school district the means to increase teacher pay was approved for November's ballot.

But the dizzying back-and-forth between the county commission and the school district isn't over.

Why it matters: There are hundreds of classroom vacancies in Hillsborough County and this legal fight will decide whether the district can raise salaries.

Driving the news: The GOP-led commission on Tuesday complied with a judge's order to place the tax question on the ballot but also voted to keep fighting it in court.

Catch up quick: Commissioner Joshua Wostal (R) led a vote in July to punt the ballot referendum to 2026, citing "increases in the costs of inflation."

The school board then sued the commission. Earlier this month, Circuit Judge Emily Peacock directed the commission to adopt a resolution no later than Aug. 13 to put the referendum before voters.
The commission voted last week to appeal that order. Peacock vacated the automatic stay that accompanied the appeal on Monday.

What's next: The appeals court agreed to expedite the commission's case and will ultimately decide whether the referendum stays on the ballot.

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Tax referendum OK'd for Hillsborough ballots but commission vows to fight on

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