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Tax Revolt in St. Petersburg: Doctor Tries to Oust Council Members Over Tax Hikes

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A vocal neurosurgeon in St. Petersburg, Dr. David McKalip, is leading a tax revolt movement, targeting city council members who he believes have raised taxes too much. McKalip has created the political action group Cut Taxes Now, aimed at educating Pinellas County residents on the voting histories of its elected leaders. The first target is council member Rick Kriseman, who voted in favor of Mayor Rick Baker's budget with a 5% reduction in tax rates. McKalip claims Kriseman has "continuously voted to increase taxes to the current unfair levels" and plans to send campaign mailings detailing Kriseman's record on taxes.

Key Takeaways:

  • Dr. David McKalip, a neurosurgeon, is leading a tax revolt movement in St. Petersburg, Florida, through the group Cut Taxes Now.
  • Cut Taxes Now aims to educate Pinellas County residents on the voting histories of elected leaders, with the first target being council member Rick Kriseman.
  • McKalip claims Kriseman has "continuously voted to increase taxes to the current unfair levels," citing his vote on the city's budget as an example.
  • Krisheman says he has never voted to increase the city's tax rate, citing new development and property value increases as reasons for the city's increased revenue.
  • Cut Taxes Now is an Electioneering Communications Organization, which can raise unlimited funds to support or criticize candidates, but cannot explicitly tell voters to vote for or against a candidate.
  • Supporters of Cut Taxes Now have donated or pledged $3,500 so far.
  • Thomas Piccolo, Kriseman's opponent in District 53, agrees with McKalip's message about Kriseman's tax votes.

Statistics:

  • $3,500: the amount donated or pledged by supporters of Cut Taxes Now.
  • 5%: the reduction in tax rates in the budget approved by the city council, which McKalip believes should have been even lower.
  • 23: the age of Thomas Piccolo, Kriseman's opponent in District 53.
  • $569-million: the amount of the city's budget.

Sources:

  • Aaron Sharockman, "St. Petersburg City Council members defend their votes on budget," St. Petersburg Times, [Undated]
  • "Kriseman, Piccolo agree on tax issues," St. Petersburg Times, [Undated]
  • Photo captions, St. Petersburg Times, [Undated]

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