On November 6, Sarasota County voters will vote on the "penny" tax. I support the tax (well, at least projects for which the money is targeted), but I find offensive the deceptive term "penny" tax. It's not a penny, it's a 1% sales tax on top of the 6% collected by the State of Florida. By my rough, back-of-an-envelope (and certainly flawed) calculation, it will cost the average family of four, directly or indirectly, about $800 a year, every year. That's not a penny. A penny doesn't raise $1,400,000,000 as this tax will (over 15 years).

I am also bothered by the extensive marketing campaign being conducted by Sarasota County and school system in favor of the 1% tax. Since when do governments get involved in campaigning? I'm not talking about an individual commissioner or school board member expressing his or her support, I'm talking about government employees marketing/campaigning as part of their jobs. It's not right. Advocacy is a job for citizens and advocacy groups.

Again, I support the tax, but I am considering voting against it due to the very disturbing and deceptive way it is being presented to the voters.

That's my two pennies worth.