Pasco voters won’t have to pay for postage Supervisor of Elections Brian E. Corley has announced that voters who wish to vote-by-mail in the primary and general election will not have to pay postage to send in their ballot. In a news release, Corley said that the step is being taken due to the unprecedented nature of the 2020 election cycle. "Although the impact of COVID-19 on the election … [Read more...]
Some 2020 races decided; others up for grabs
June 23, 2020 By
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano, Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles and Sheriff Chris Nocco each will serve another four years — since no opponents came forward to challenge them by the qualifying deadline in the 2020 election. Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley also will serve another four years, as his opponent withdrew. And, Mike Wells has been elected to Pasco County … [Read more...]
Pasco projects in new state budget
May 22, 2019 By
Florida’s $91.5 billion budget, approved by the Florida Legislature, includes funding for just two of the projects that Pasco County requested. Legislators approved $1 million for the Land O’ Lakes U.S. 41 beautification project, and $1 million to improve the waterfront at Miller’s Bayou. Dade City received $5 million for the extension of Morningside Drive. While legislators approved the … [Read more...]
Zephyrhills economic summit puts focus on education
November 7, 2018 By
Fostering educational opportunities in Pasco County was the primary focus of the second annual Zephyrhills Economic Summit. Doing that begins with beefing up the Pasco County school district’s career and technical education programs, said Kurt Browning, superintendent of Pasco County Schools. “We need to put our career academies on steroids,” said Browning, one of several guest speakers at the … [Read more...]
State lawmaker offers overview of past legislative session
September 12, 2018 By
This past legislative session — and money flowing into Pasco County from the state’s record $88.7 billion budget for fiscal year 2019 — was the topic du jour for State Rep. Danny Burgess, during a recent appearance at a North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce meeting. Burgess, who represents the House District 38 seat covering east Pasco and portions of central Pasco, highlighted a number of local … [Read more...]
Legislative forum covers wide spectrum of issues
December 6, 2017 By
Dozens of speakers signed up to draw attention to topics they think are important at Pasco County’s annual legislative delegation meeting. The topics ranged from fracking to Medicaid; the opioid epidemic to immigration; medical marijuana to homelessness; and, scores of budget requests. Some requests were for items vetoed by Gov. Rick Scott last year. Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, for … [Read more...]
A chance to talk with Pasco’s state legislators
August 30, 2017 By
Get ready to quiz members of the Pasco County legislative delegation, or make a plea for a favorite cause or program. Pasco legislators will have their annual pre-session public meeting on Sept. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Sunlake High School Gymnasium, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The annual get-together is an opportunity for residents, elected officials, representatives of city … [Read more...]
Education is key issue at town hall
August 30, 2017 By
Education was a recurring theme during a recent town hall meeting that featured U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, State Rep. Danny Burgess, and State Sens. Wilton Simpson and Tom Lee. About 100 residents gathered inside the Pasco Middle School Auditorium on Aug. 22 to voice their thoughts and concerns with their local representatives, via a question-and-answer-style town meeting that lasted more than … [Read more...]
Homestead exemption could increase
May 10, 2017 By
A property tax savings could be on its way to Florida homeowners, if a statewide referendum in 2018 boosts homestead exemptions to a total of $75,000. But, what could be tax relief to homeowners could pose financial challenges for local governments. If approved, homeowners can add another $25,000 to the existing standard of $50,000 (approved by voters in 2008) for homestead exemption on … [Read more...]
Could homestead exemption be $75,000?
April 5, 2017 By
A proposed constitutional amendment to increase homestead exemptions to $75,000 could be a boon for homeowners, but a bust for local governments that stand to lose millions in property tax revenues. If approved, homeowners potentially could add another $25,000, excluding school taxes, to the current $50,000 homestead exemption. At least 60 percent of voters statewide would have to … [Read more...]
