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

[Louise Peyton]

Hello, all:
Here is the latest information from the county alliance for persons with disabilities as sent to me by Raquel Pancho.  Please read and attend, if you can, and sign up to speak ahead of time as requested.
Louise

Louise
Good Afternoon, All,
Attached are resources developed by the County Alliance for Citizens with Disabilities team. These materials provide a summary of the proposed plans to dismantle HART, which would eliminate transportation for individuals living outside City limits. A template letter is also included to assist with outreach to County Commissioners and State legislators.
This is a critical opportunity to inform and educate stakeholders on the serious consequences that would result from eliminating essential Countywide transportation services.
We strongly encourage you to share your concerns widely-with HART passengers, County Commissioners, and elected State legislators. Your voice is vital in fostering awareness and ensuring decision-makers understand the ramifications of removing these essential services.  A critical deadline is fast approaching for those to want to share concerns, see below for the details.
The State Legislative Delegation will hold a meeting on Oct. 21, 2025, from 10 AM to 2 PM at TPepin Hospitality Centre - 4121 N 50th St, Tampa, FL 33610.

  *   This meeting is in-person only.
  *   If you wish to provide printed materials for the meeting, you must bring 15 copies to the Delegation Chair's district office (Suite 210, 1101 Channelside Drive Tampa, FL 33602-3613) seven days before the event.
  *   Signup form to speak will close on Oct. 11, 2025 at 5 PM.   Here is the link:  State Legislative Delegation | Hillsborough County, FL<https://hcfl.gov/government/government-relations/state-legislative-delegation>

Thank you for your continued advocacy!



Raquel Pancho
ADA Coordinator, Office of Chief of Staff
City of Tampa / 306 E. Jackson St. 1st Floor East / Tampa, Florida 33602
p: 813-274-3964 / e: Raquel.Pancho at tampagov.net<mailto:Raquel.Pancho at tampagov.net>





From: NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of marion.gwizdala--- via NFBF-Tampa
Sent: Wednesday, September 24, 2025 1:56 PM
To: 'NFB of Florida Tampa Chapter List' <nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org>
Cc: marion.gwizdala at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [NFBF-Tampa] Fox 13 News story and article on proposed bill to dissolve HART, August 26, 2025

Dear All,

                Unfortunately, many have the mistaken attitude like Commissioner Wostal that public transportation only helps a few, so why should the public fund it? This belief is very short-sighted and ignorant at its base! Those of us who either cannot drive or cannot afford a vehicle use public transportation to fulfill every social and economic opportunity as others. We enhance the health of the community by utilizing public transportation to go to medical appointments and stay healthy, thus costing society less in healthcare expenses. We support the economy of the region by utilizing public transportation to go to work and spend that money we earn, thus enhancing the economy. As an example, six of us gathered at Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen in Carrolwood in July, all of us arriving and departing using public transportation. Merry and I alone spent nearly $200 that night, along with the other four of us.

The idea that public transportation only benefits a few is so ignorant it is pathetic! These elitist politicians feed their constituents lies and the lemmings believe them without challenge or data. Everyone nods in agreement as these master manipulators share their irrational, ablist  attitudes and unethical immoral conduct telling them it is "common sense" when it makes absolutely none. They promise what we want to hear then act with impunity by asserting, "That's why you elected us!" If you have not yet done so, everyone needs to read George Orwell's "1984". It should have been entitled "2025"!

Marion Gwizdala


From: NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa-bounces at nfbnet.org<mailto:nfbf-tampa-bounces at nfbnet.org>> On Behalf Of Sherrill O'Brien via NFBF-Tampa
Sent: Monday, September 22, 2025 5:29 PM
To: nfbf-tampa at nfbnets
.org
Cc: Sherrill O'Brien <sherrill.obrien at verizon.net<mailto:sherrill.obrien at verizon.net>>
Subject: [NFBF-Tampa] Fox 13 News story and article on proposed bill to dissolve HART, August 26, 2025

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

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/>
[Bill to dissolve HART, move to city-run transit]
Rep. Michael Owen is drafting a bill to dissolve Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART).

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

     *   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.
[cid:image002.jpg at 01DC2D62.B90C0590]
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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