HERE WE GO AGAIN - Incumbent Commissioner Kevin Beckner Circumventing the Voters Right to Decide

Tampa, FL - May 24, 2012

In 2010, citizens of Hillsborough County [Tampa] rejected the Light Rail tax. Now the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is sending letters to Legislators asking them to circumvent the will of the voters with legislation. County Commission Candidate Margaret Iuculano announced her opposition to a new rail tax earlier today. The new tax initiative, spearheaded by the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), is an effort to circumvent the wishes of our voters who soundly rejected the added tax in 2010. Iuculano, leading candidate for the Republican nomination in District Six, noted her opponent's support for the new tax, which will require changes to state law. "Hillsborough County [Tampa] voters soundly rejected this tax. Their voice was loud & clear and now their own County Commissioner is ignoring their wishes. It's time politicians stop looking at taxpayers hard earned money as their personal piggy bank." She expressed her exasperation by asking, Now, Beckner is leading the charge to revisit this issue and raise taxes during this economic downturn? She emphasized, It just doesnt make good business sense. In 2010, Beckner was quoted in the St. Pete Times, "I think it's important that what we put forward not include local taxes, given what happened Nov. 2," in regards to the new plan being developed by the MPO. Skip to present, now Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority board member and County Commissioner Beckner asked legislators to circumvent the will of the voters in a letter sent to area legislators. Beckner has taken a more progressive view on this issue and Iuculano asserts this is just another example of his playing both sides of an issue. She took aim at Beckner by concluding, Im calling on my opponent to Flip-flop back to his original position. He doesnt seem have a problem doing that! Beckner voted in favor of language that will allow municipalities such as Tampa to put the new tax to yet another public vote. A letter was sent to state legislators by the MPO along with the proposed language. Review both documents online at: http://www.hillsboroughmpo.org/meetevents/meetevents_folders/foldermeetings/age nda_files/mpo/april-2012/MPO_Apr2012_FullAgendaPacket.pdf *Margaret is founder of Angels for Foster Kids, a non-profit dedicated to improving the lives of foster children throughout Tampa Bay. In her earlier career she served as CEO of TechSherpas, a successful software training & consulting company headquartered in Tampa. Shes active on Board service and has been involved with The CEO Council

of Tampa Bay, C12 (Christian CEO group), United Way Womens Leadership, and other Child Advocacy boards. To learn more about Margarets campaign or to contact her please visit www.voteformargaret.com