While my last column suggested that I would be taking time off to enjoy summer, a laptop and e-mail make it convenient for me to make some observations regarding the proposed one penny sales tax. Yes, I am against the penny tax proposal. However, not because I simply oppose any new tax.

Ironically, heretofore I have been a cautious supporter of Mayor Penelas. As a commissioner he supported the incorporation of Pinecrest and was the only commissioner to attended the inaugural swearing in of the village council. As a mayor, he has been a positive force in cleaning up county government. His selection of Pinecrest Charter Commission member, Merrett Stierheim, as county manager was a welcome breath of fresh air downtown.

Nevertheless, the penny sales tax is a "sheep in wolf’s clothing." I am not necessarily against a penny sales tax increase, but I am insulted when I read the facts. First, what would be worse than one county entity trying to straighten out our transportation mess? Two county entities! Why do we need both the Miami-Dade Expressway Authority and Miami-Dade Government with two different agendas and two distinct plans? Two government agencies "working" together rarely is efficient.

Second, out of $15.8 billion, the bulk of the money would be used to extend Metrorail and to put more buses on the road. Anyone who lives in south Dade and sees daily the underused bus lane running from Dadeland to Cutler Ridge, is skeptical of the need for more buses or trains as a solution.

Third, and the most disappointing, is that Mayor Penelas promised to reduce the size of the public payroll and is now touting the fact that this initiative will create 3,600 jobs. In a tight labor market the taxpayers will surely be the losers. Why not provide tax incentives or exclusive routes to jitney companies? Let them hire the employees.

Fourth, not only are the bulk of the tolls staying, 17 out of 21, including Key Biscayne and the turnpike, it is not unrealistic to believe that new tolls will likely return in five years.

The most troubling aspect of this entire proposal is the perception that there is no well thought out plan, but one that was thrown together in an effort to salvage a piece of the federal transportation funds. While, there is no assurance that we will receive the needed federal funds, we can be assured that we would be stuck with the additional tax.

This tax proposal reminds me of the state lottery proposal. Politicians prey on voters concerns. Several years ago the focus was on education’s need for additional funding. We were persuaded to vote for the lottery because it promised to create revenues for education. Then, we were all surprised to learn that the millions of dollars created by the lottery were not augmenting the existing education funds, as we were led to believe would be the case. Instead, existing education dollars were diverted for general state expenses, with the lottery revenue only replacing original funding. It does not take a rocket scientist to see the similarities in this case.

South Florida is ranked in the top five areas of the country with the worse traffic — it makes a lot of sense to use this issue to encourage people to tax themselves. However, the promises are vague and there are to many similarities to the lottery scam. Perhaps a "no vote" would send a message that we want a well thought out, cohesive plan, with assurances for an improved transportation system.