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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Dear All,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'> 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. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>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”!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-indent:.5in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'>Marion Gwizdala<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Aptos",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>From:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'> NFBF-Tampa <nfbf-tampa-bounces@nfbnet.org> <b>On Behalf Of </b>Sherrill O'Brien via NFBF-Tampa<br><b>Sent:</b> Monday, September 22, 2025 5:29 PM<br><b>To:</b> nfbf-tampa@nfbnets<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'>.org<br><b>Cc:</b> Sherrill O'Brien <sherrill.obrien@verizon.net><br><b>Subject:</b> [NFBF-Tampa] Fox 13 News story and article on proposed bill to dissolve HART, August 26, 2025<o:p></o:p></span></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings Tampa chapter members and friends,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>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<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>This is on YouTube, so just skip the annoying ad!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Below the link I’ve also pasted the text of a companion article.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>State Rep. Michael Owen, who plans to introduce this bill, represents District 70 which includes parts of Hillsborough and Manatee Counties. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The YouTube link and story are below my signature.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please do spread the word by sending out this important email. We can make a huge impact with one strong and united voice! <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sherrill O’Brien, Secretary<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Tampa Bay Chapter<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Florida<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-U1ld6nNLo"><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-U1ld6nNLo</span></a><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hillsborough lawmaker pushes to dissolve HART, launch city-only transit<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>By </span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="https://fox13news.com/person/m/evyn-moon">Evyn Moon</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Published</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> August 26, 2025 9:24pm EDT<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="https://www.fox13news.com/tag/us/fl/hillsborough">Hillsborough County</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><a href="https://www.fox13news.com/">FOX 13 News</a><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><img border=0 width=1280 height=720 style='width:13.3333in;height:7.5in' id="Picture_x0020_4" src="cid:image001.jpg@01DC2D57.CADB0BF0" alt="Bill to dissolve HART, move to city-run transit"></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.75in'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Rep. Michael Owen is drafting a bill to dissolve Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART).<o:p></o:p></span></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=1><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level2 lfo3'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The plan would create the Tampa Transit Authority, serving only Tampa city limits.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ol></ul><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=2 type=1><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l2 level2 lfo5'><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Some officials said the move could cut off service for thousands outside the city.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ol></ul><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>TAMPA, Fla. - <a href="https://www.fox13news.com/tag/us/fl/hillsborough" target="_self">Hillsborough County's</a> 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.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The other side:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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 <a href="https://www.fox13news.com/tag/transportation" target="_self">reliable transit options</a>, including seniors and people with disabilities who rely on paratransit services to get to work and the grocery store. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>"You don't take away mass transit funding for the rest of the county," Viera said.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>What they're saying:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><img border=0 width=932 height=524 style='width:9.7083in;height:5.4583in' id="Picture_x0020_3" src="cid:image002.jpg@01DC2D57.CADB0BF0"></span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hillsborough Commissioner Josh Wostal agrees, saying county residents shouldn’t pay for services they don’t use. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>"We can't keep saving the few to hurt the many," he said.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>By the numbers:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo8'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>12.6 million riders used HART services last year.<o:p></o:p></span></b></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo8'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Hillsborough County population: about 1.6 million.<o:p></o:p></span></b></li><li class=MsoNormal style='mso-list:l1 level1 lfo8'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>Tampa population: roughly 400,000.<o:p></o:p></span></b></li></ul><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>What's next:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>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. <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'>The Source:</span></b><span style='font-size:11.0pt'> This story is based on information from Rep. Michael Owen, HART board members including Luis Viera, and Hillsborough County Commissioner Josh Wostal.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>