11 questions to ask at Suncoast Tiger Bay’s annual State of the Bay

On Tuesday evening, members of Suncoast Tiger Bay will gather for one of the nonpartisan political club’s most-attended events, the State of the Bay featuring mayors from the region’s three largest cities — Tampa Mayor Jane Castor, St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch, and Clearwater Mayor Bruce Rector.

Ordinarily, I’d be there battling with everyone else for the coveted “Fang and Claw” award for the toughest question, but alas I’m in Tallahassee. Instead, let me offer some fodder for those who will be in attendance (and sorry, non-members, you’re not allowed to ask questions so you’ll either have to join or ask a friend to lob the question for you.)

What do the three Mayors have to say about the situation in Minnesota?

Unless you’ve been locked in a closet or lost a sea without cell reception since Saturday (or perhaps were stuck in Winter Storm Fern), you’re well aware that the top headline, and arguably most divisive, is the ongoing chaos in Minneapolis, Minnesota where for the second time this month ICE agents shot and killed a protester who was a U.S. citizen.

It’s far from home, to be sure, but the issue is not. Protests have erupted throughout the Tampa Bay region, not just after VA ICE nurse Alex Pretti was shot and killed Saturday, but before that when mother of three Renee Good was shot and killed in her car. Specifically, local protesters have been calling on both the Tampa Police Department and the St. Petersburg Police Department to end agreements with ICE to cooperate in certain situations.

While all three Mayors serve in nonpartisan roles, Castor and Welch are both registered Democrats while Rector is a Republican. Whether individuals support or condemn ICE action in recent weeks in Minneapolis has largely come down to partisan divides, with Republicans more likely to support the heavy-handed enforcement and Democrats more likely to support what they describe as mostly peaceful protests.

It’s worth getting all three on the record about how they would react if ICE agents were to all of a sudden descend upon their cities.

As of Monday, none of the Mayors had publicly weighed in.

Given the deep polarization across the U.S., how do you promote unity within your cities?

If anyone has a viable answer to this question they might be poised for an eventual Nobel Peace Prize. Polarization might be the defining challenge of our time, with deeply held political opinions known to ruin many a family reunion.

For Castor and Welch, as Democrats, they face possible pushback from conservative constituents who view the current ICE operations throughout the U.S. as a means to promote law and order and keep Americans safe. Republicans, particularly those within the Trump administration, have blamed Democrats “rhetoric” on the recent ICE shootings as adding fuel to the fire and causing ICE to face additional dangers in the places where they are operating.

For Rector, he faces the dilemma of appearing unsympathetic to the two U.S. citizens recently killed.

In any case, the question is sure to be a tough one.

How are you preparing for the possibility of a major reduction in property tax revenue?

Lawmakers in Tallahassee are considering several proposals to slash property taxes. All of the proposals exempt the portion of property taxes used for public schools, law enforcement and first responders. They range from a complete repeal of such property taxes to other targeted approaches such as eliminating them for seniors or incrementally eliminating them through staggered homestead exemption increases.

The issue, first pitched by Gov. Ron DeSantis, is largely popular among voters, and Republicans in the Legislature have been openly supportive of passing a constitutional amendment that would let voters decide. But local governments are wary, because a significant portion of their operating budgets come from ad valorem (read: property tax) revenue.

For Castor: Do you believe the city and county should contribute public funds for a new Tampa Bay Rays stadium on the Hillsborough College campus, and if so, how much is appropriate?

With both Castor and Welch in the room — the Rays are currently contractually obligated to play games in Welch’s St. Pete, but are in negotiations to craft a stadium deal in Tampa, at the Dale Mabry Hillsborough College campus across from Raymond James Stadium — the stadium issue will likely be top of mind for many in attendance.

Castor in particular could be in a pickle, as the potential for a Rays stadium deal could send a message to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they get increasingly loud in their chatter about wanting a new stadium.

And voters may not be too keen on their tax dollars being used to build a new stadium as residents continue to feel the economic pinch in everything from housing and insurance to groceries and household items.

For Welch: How much accountability do you take for the loss of more than $200,000 from your political committee due to “unauthorized” transactions from the PAC’s former treasurer?

So far, Welch and his supporters have framed his as of right now non-existent campaign as a victim of theft. Yolanda Brown, the former treasurer for his affiliated political committee, The Pelican Political Action Committee, is accused of making $207,500 in unauthorized expenditures to a business she owns.

While victims they may well be, as CPA himself, one would have thought Welch would insist on more oversight of the comings and goings of cash meant to help fund his political ambitions.

Donors may be understandably frustrated that money they donated has now been squandered and future donors may be deterred from cracking open their checkbooks.

For Rector: What are you looking for in a new City Attorney after your previous one was admonished by the state Attorney General?

Clearwater City Attorney David Margolis submitted his resignation last month, effective April 13. The resignation came after state Attorney General James Uthmeier admonished him over a land deal between the city and the Church of Scientology. His resignation did not mention the dispute, but tensions have been high over it.

The Church and its legal representation want a vacation of a portion of South Garden Avenue needed for an event hall the group has been planning for years. They have been at odds with the city, and Margolis in particular, over who has rights to the land. Uthmeier has essentially sided with the Church, noting in May that the city was taking a potentially discriminatory position against the Church. Uthmeier later offered his own opinion that the Church owns the street and therefore should not have to pay market value for it. Margolis disagreed.

So, Mayor Rector, what’s next for your city’s legal department as Clearwater continues to face a relatively high-profile issue?

For Welch: Where are our resiliency checks?

The city of St. Pete is expecting $159.8 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to support ongoing recovery efforts related to Hurricane Idalia in 2023 and Hurricane Helene in 2024.

St. Pete City Council approved the Sunrise St. Pete action plan in June. The city has already been accepting grant applications for the program, which will pause in mid-February. But a landing page created for the program on the city’s website notes that “grant awards cannot be made until HUD provides final approval through a signed grant agreement.”

While it’s understandable that the city can’t spend funds it has not yet received, that’s of little consolation to residents whose homes and other property were badly damaged in storms that happened more than one and two years ago. They deserve an answer from their Mayor about why he hasn’t been able to expedite the program and funds receipt, and what he’s still doing to get the cash.

Also for Welch: What the hell is inclusive progress and can you give us a real world example?

We know what “inclusive” means. And we know what “progress” means. Taken literally, the phrase that has become a Ken Welch motto suggests its about ensuring improvements within the city benefit all, and boy that sounds great.

The problem is, it’s thrown around so often it almost feels hollow. Because in the Year of Our Lord 2026, what feels inclusive to one group may feel exclusive to another.

For all three: What can you do about the affordability crisis, especially with the backdrop of potentially losing millions in property tax revenue?

Tampa, St. Pete and Clearwater are not alone in the affordability crisis. It’s impacting cities across the U.S. But a national problem still requires, to at least some degree, local action.

Residents are paying more at the grocery store. Health care costs have gone up almost across the board. Gas prices have come down, but still linger around $3 a gallon. And housing, oh my God housing.

This may be one of the most defining issues of the 2026 election cycle, and elected officials and candidates for office will no doubt be expected to craft plans to ease the pain.

For Castor: How are you supporting this year’s Pride event?

Tampa Pride in September announced they would not be hosting its annual Pride Festival and Diversity Parade, citing the “current political and economic climate.”

The news landed with a thud for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. But another group formed, Pride of Tampa, to ensure there was a 2026 Pride celebration in Tampa.

While that group is raising funds to host an event, it’s been less clear how the city is supporting its efforts.

For Castor and Welch: What’s one thing you agree with from the Florida Legislature or Ron DeSantis?

No explanation needed here when they are Democratic Mayors living in a red state.