[NFBF-Tampa] Fox 13 News story and article on proposed bill to dissolve HART, August 26, 2025

[Sherrill O'Brien]

Greetings Tampa chapter members and friends,

 

As promised, here's the link to the August 26 Fox News story about the
proposed bill by state Rep. Michael Owens to dissolve HART and replace it
with a city only transit system

This is on YouTube, so just skip the annoying ad!

Below the link I've also pasted the text of a companion article.

 

State Rep. Michael Owen, who plans to introduce this bill, represents
District 70 which includes parts of Hillsborough and Manatee Counties. 

 

The YouTube link and story are below my signature.

Please do spread the word by sending out this important email. We can make a
huge impact with one strong and united voice! 

 

Sherrill O'Brien, Secretary

Tampa Bay Chapter

National Federation of the Blind of Florida

 

 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-U1ld6nNLo>
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-U1ld6nNLo

 

Hillsborough lawmaker pushes to dissolve HART, launch city-only transit

By Evyn Moon <https://fox13news.com/person/m/evyn-moon> 

Published  August 26, 2025 9:24pm EDT

Hillsborough County <https://www.fox13news.com/tag/us/fl/hillsborough> 

FOX 13 News <https://www.fox13news.com/> 



Rep. Michael Owen is drafting a bill to dissolve Hillsborough Area Regional
Transit (HART).

1.	The plan would create the Tampa Transit Authority, serving only
Tampa city limits.

2.	Some officials said the move could cut off service for thousands
outside the city.

TAMPA, Fla. - Hillsborough County's
<https://www.fox13news.com/tag/us/fl/hillsborough>  main bus system could be
facing major changes. State Rep. Michael Owen says he is working on
legislation to dismantle HART and replace it with a Tampa-only transit
agency.

The proposed Tampa Transit Authority would operate within city limits and
could potentially be funded by a city sales tax, instead of higher property
taxes for the entire county.

 

The other side:

Not everyone supports the idea. HART board chairman and Tampa City
Councilman Luis Viera said the plan could leave more than a million
residents outside Tampa without reliable transit options
<https://www.fox13news.com/tag/transportation> , including seniors and
people with disabilities who rely on paratransit services to get to work and
the grocery store. 

"You don't take away mass transit funding for the rest of the county," Viera
said.

What they're saying:

Owen argues the majority of HART's riders live in Tampa, so city taxpayers
should shoulder the cost. He also criticized HART's recent move to explore
raising property taxes. 



Hillsborough Commissioner Josh Wostal agrees, saying county residents
shouldn't pay for services they don't use. 

"We can't keep saving the few to hurt the many," he said.

By the numbers:

*	12.6 million riders used HART services last year.
*	Hillsborough County population: about 1.6 million.
*	Tampa population: roughly 400,000.

What's next:

Owen expects to have the bill ready by October. If passed, the transition
could take two to four years and give Tampa voters a chance to approve
funding for new transit projects like light rail. 

For now, HART said it has not seen any formal proposal and is focused on
serving the entire county. The City of Tampa also has no comment until a
bill is officially proposed. 

The Source: This story is based on information from Rep. Michael Owen, HART
board members including Luis Viera, and Hillsborough County Commissioner
Josh Wostal.

 

 

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