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

[Ineko Gary]

I totally agree with everyone who relies on transportation. This really
stinks. Instead of decreasing the buses they need to increase the buses.

They need to make buses go to those who live in at least up to 5 miles of a
bus route to send a heart place there.

That would be a lot better than getting rid of buses. Because it just won’t
affect those who go to work or go pick up medicines or go to the store. It
will affect all disabilities across the board.
And it will also affect those kids with ADHD that’s on the spectrum. Whose
parents rely on the system.

This really stinks and really sucks. They need to make it better instead of
making it worse.

On Wed, Sep 24, 2025 at 2:53 PM Louise Peyton via NFBF-Tampa <
nfbf-tampa at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> 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
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/4121+N+50th+St,+Tampa,+FL+33610?entry=gmail&source=g>
> .
>
>    - 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
>    <https://www.google.com/maps/search/1101+Channelside+Drive+Tampa,+FL+33602-3613?entry=gmail&source=g>)
>    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
> <https://www.google.com/maps/search/306+E.+Jackson+St.+1st+Floor?entry=gmail&source=g>
> East / Tampa, Florida 33602
> p: 813-274-3964 / e: 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> *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>
> *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/>
>
> [image: Bill to dissolve HART, move to city-run transit]
>
> 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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> NFBF-Tampa at nfbnet.org
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