"We are the only one of the top 10 regional economies in the United States without a regional transportation agenda."

Leadership Lakeland Alumni Association got an unexpected preview Tuesday of the coming debate over November’s sales tax referendums to fund roads and transit.

The meeting at The Lakeland Center was billed as an opportunity to listen to Tampa and Orlando business leaders and Polk Transit Director Tom Phillips discuss the importance of a robust transportation system to economic prosperity in Polk and the region.

But Lakeland businessman Sandy Fortin, founder of Play It Again Sports and a board member of the Florida Retail Federation, attacked the sales tax increase, charging it creates “unintended consequences” for businesses.

Read more at the Lakeland Ledger.