Tax referendum OKed for Hillsborough ballots

A tax referendum to give Hillsborough's sprawling school district the means to increase teacher pay was approved for November's ballot.

• But the dizzying back-and-forth between the county commission and the school district isn't over.

Why it matters: There are hundreds of classroom vacancies in Hillsborough County and this legal fight will decide whether the district can raise salaries.

Driving the news: The GOP-led commission on Tuesday complied with a judge's order to place the tax question on the ballot but also voted to keep fighting it in court .

Catch up quick: Commissioner Joshua Wostal (R) led a vote in July to punt the ballot referendum to 2026, citing "increases in the costs of inflation."

• The school board then sued the commission. Earlier this month, Circuit Judge Emily Peacock directed the commission to adopt a resolution no later than Aug. 13 to put the referendum before voters.
• The commission voted last week to appeal that order. Peacock vacated the automatic stay that accompanied the appeal on Monday.

What's next: The appeals court agreed to expedite the commission's case and will ultimately decide whether the referendum stays on the ballot.