Less than half of old Hillsborough transportation tax would go to roads

TALLAHASSEE — Less than half of the money collected under the now-voided Hillsborough transportation sales tax would be spent on transportation projects, under the state budget proposal unveiled Tuesday for the upcoming year. The money, first collected in 2019, has languished since 2021 when the Florida Supreme Court struck down the tax, all while as Hillsborough’s population has swelled, its streets continue to clog with traffic and its public transit services remain bare-bones. About $256 million of the $589 million pot would be spent on road resurfacing projects across the county. About $171 million would pay for legal fees in the lawsuit that led to the Supreme Court ruling and to dole out refunds to people who apply by the…