Three key county races in central Florida could shape whether Orlando will ever stop dumping hotel taxes into tourism and sports — and start spending the money on real needs like transit and housing.
Hi Jason: Great article! Can you explain "Renewal and Replacement Reserve" in the County Report? Since you know so much about how to dig into these government figures, I would donate more money to your blog for helping us citizens/voters understand the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) put out by Orange County (and every government entity in the country). If we don't understand the money flows, we can't control them or use them for our benefit. By understanding the way the money is spent, we understand the priorities and where the vested interests put pressure on the system in their rent-seeking. We could also make better arguments for change based on financial data and not ideology.
That’s a reserve account (actually a few reserve accounts grouped together). These reserves are held in order to cover unexpected repairs at the convention center and ensure the county can meet obligations like debt repayments if there’s a sudden downturn in hotel tax collections (as happened during Covid). They generally target $300 million for reserves, but the amount has grown rapidly the last couple of years. That’s a big part of what prompted the lobbying campaign last year to expand the convention center yet again and put even more money into the Kia Center and Camping World Stadium. Tourism and sports lobbyists wanted to lock down that money before anybody got serious about spending it on things like transit or housing. You can find a more detailed explanation of the reserves here: https://www.occompt.com/DocumentCenter/View/44468/2024-06-June-TDT-Collection-PDF
If you live in Orange County and have voted for Linda Stewart in the past, you need to have your head examined. She is more Republican than Democrat because Republicans are paying her more. I believe she voted against the Heat and Safety Act another Heritage Foundation anti worker bill written and produced by them. So voters, look out for her. We just need people who are determined to stop the status quo and get that money back to the county and who we hope will spend it on the items lacking funding right now.
I live in Altamonte and voted for Stewart a few times because she was the Dem and I figured even a conservative D is better than another R in Tallahassee. But man, her voting record over the years is pretty putrid, very disappointing.
I live in Orange and saw her nonsense work the last few years. Hard to MOSTLY impossible to talk to her or her aides. Most of the Tallahassee Mafia is like that. You email, call, call but no response. The Florida government does not work for the average citizen.
The whole of Orange County stinks. The Orange County Sheriff is understaffed and underpaid. New leadership is needed who can implement new ways to keep people safe on the roads. Right now it's not happening. Buddy has to go also. It's time. Let this be the year of the woman in leadership roles starting with Kamala!!
Hi Jason: Great article! Can you explain "Renewal and Replacement Reserve" in the County Report? Since you know so much about how to dig into these government figures, I would donate more money to your blog for helping us citizens/voters understand the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) put out by Orange County (and every government entity in the country). If we don't understand the money flows, we can't control them or use them for our benefit. By understanding the way the money is spent, we understand the priorities and where the vested interests put pressure on the system in their rent-seeking. We could also make better arguments for change based on financial data and not ideology.
That’s a reserve account (actually a few reserve accounts grouped together). These reserves are held in order to cover unexpected repairs at the convention center and ensure the county can meet obligations like debt repayments if there’s a sudden downturn in hotel tax collections (as happened during Covid). They generally target $300 million for reserves, but the amount has grown rapidly the last couple of years. That’s a big part of what prompted the lobbying campaign last year to expand the convention center yet again and put even more money into the Kia Center and Camping World Stadium. Tourism and sports lobbyists wanted to lock down that money before anybody got serious about spending it on things like transit or housing. You can find a more detailed explanation of the reserves here: https://www.occompt.com/DocumentCenter/View/44468/2024-06-June-TDT-Collection-PDF
If you live in Orange County and have voted for Linda Stewart in the past, you need to have your head examined. She is more Republican than Democrat because Republicans are paying her more. I believe she voted against the Heat and Safety Act another Heritage Foundation anti worker bill written and produced by them. So voters, look out for her. We just need people who are determined to stop the status quo and get that money back to the county and who we hope will spend it on the items lacking funding right now.
I live in Altamonte and voted for Stewart a few times because she was the Dem and I figured even a conservative D is better than another R in Tallahassee. But man, her voting record over the years is pretty putrid, very disappointing.
I live in Orange and saw her nonsense work the last few years. Hard to MOSTLY impossible to talk to her or her aides. Most of the Tallahassee Mafia is like that. You email, call, call but no response. The Florida government does not work for the average citizen.
Change is long overdue. VOTE BLUE UP AND DOWN!!
Yeah she is a real disappointment—and Dyer endorsing that doosh from Winter Park over Kelly Semrad, time for some new leadership!
The whole of Orange County stinks. The Orange County Sheriff is understaffed and underpaid. New leadership is needed who can implement new ways to keep people safe on the roads. Right now it's not happening. Buddy has to go also. It's time. Let this be the year of the woman in leadership roles starting with Kamala!!
Thank you for writing this Jason! Great article with the receipts as always. These elections are crucial for Orlando’s future.
Thanks Jason. The good ole boys have been eating at the pig trough for too long. Move over guys, make room for others.