Would you believe that I didn't know that there was such a thing as a state income tax until I was in my teens? It's true- the tourist tax in Florida prevents the need for a statewide income tax on residents, so I never heard about it until a trip to the northeast. The problem, however, is that when tourism dries up, government income dries up, putting immense pressure on state and local budgets
Long story short, funding and support for public projects fluctuates with tourism, and right now tourism's not so hot. The Orlando Sentinel released an article a few days ago stating that funding for the planned Dr. P. Phillip's Performing Arts Center (DPAC) might be cut as a result of tightening budgets. The DPAC people replied right away, denying the Sentinel's allegations and stating such positive sentiments as "Our board of directors and donors are solidly behind the project... is moving forward and our vision remains steadfast," and "Our project is moving forward and will be built..." Linkage to full article here.
WHERE I STAND: The arts center will be a major boost for Orlando and will definitely help central Florida out of the economic slump. It will breathe fresh life into local tourism by redefining Orlando as a world-class and refined city; more than just the parks. I know we already have the Bob Carr, but it pretty clear that the Bob Carr is NOT the performing arts center of a world-class city.
(Photo Props to DPAC)
When you hear "Sodo," short for "South of Downtown Orlando," what do you think of? The biblical town of Sodom, razed by god for it inhabitants' impenitent sins? Do you think of NYC's SoHo, for which the name is clearly modeled after? Or do you perhaps think of the Ethiopian town with 65,737 residents?