To the Voters and Residents of Hillsborough County,
Hillsborough County Council PTA/PTSA has watched Hillsborough County Public Schools transform over the past several years, and we believe that transformation is worth protecting. That is why we are proud to endorse Referendum 3, the renewal of the Half-Penny Sales Tax, this November and to stand alongside the students, families, and educators who have benefited from this investment.
Since voters approved the half-penny sales tax in 2018, Hillsborough County Public Schools has completed more than 1,000 projects across schools throughout the district, representing more than $1.5 billion invested in facilities, safety, and technology. Every school has received at least $500,000 in improvements, and more than $800 million of that work has been awarded to local businesses. This means the investment has supported jobs and families right here in our community while building better schools for the next generation.
It is worth remembering what Hillsborough County schools looked like before this tax existed. There was no dedicated funding in the state or local budget sufficient to address the district’s extensive capital improvement needs, which meant buildings deteriorated year after year, air conditioners failed in the Florida heat with no replacement in sight, and roofs that should have been replaced long ago continued to leak with only patchwork solutions to show for it. The half-penny sales tax did not just address those problems. It gave our district the ability to plan and invest in a way that had simply not been possible before. Without this continued investment, we risk losing the progress our community has worked so hard to achieve and limiting our ability to meet the needs of future generations of students.
Through our relationships with local PTA and PTSA units, we hear directly from parents, students, and educators about the challenges they face and the hopes they have for their schools. For us, this referendum is not simply about maintaining buildings or funding improvements. It is about honoring the trust families place in our public schools and ensuring every child, regardless of their neighborhood or circumstances, has an environment where they feel safe, valued, and inspired to succeed. Our commitment to these students and families extends far beyond the classroom, and we recognize that the condition of our schools directly impacts students’ ability to learn, teachers’ ability to teach, and families’ confidence in the future of public education.
This November, voters will decide whether to continue this investment for another 10 years, beginning January 1, 2029, and it is important to be clear about what they are being asked. This is not a new tax, nor is it a tax increase. It is a renewal of the same half-penny voters approved in 2018, with continued independent oversight, public audits and reporting, and a commitment to directing the revenue toward improving our schools. More than 20% of the revenue is paid by visitors to our region, and the average Hillsborough County household pays an estimated $86 per year. That is a modest investment in schools that belong to all of us.
The students of Hillsborough County deserve schools that reflect our community’s commitment to their future, and renewing this investment is one meaningful way we can demonstrate that commitment. We urge our neighbors, colleagues, families, and fellow community members to vote YES on Referendum 3 this November and keep the promise we made to our students in 2018.
Our children cannot vote in this election, but they will live with the decisions we make. Let us show them that their education, their safety, and their future will always be worth investing in.
Sincerely,
Quan Remmer
President, Hillsborough County Council PTA/PTSA
59th Administration | 2026–2028
