On night of vote, group protests tax bill in Tampa

TAMPA (FOX 13) - We're awaiting a vote from the Senate on tax reform. It will likely happen sometime Tuesday night.

But in an unexpected twist, the House will have to vote again on the bill Wednesday. It's all because of a technical error in the legislation the House passed earlier Tuesday.

The bill is not in jeopardy, though. By the end of Wednesday, it will likely be on the way to President Trump.

The tax bill is on track to be a big win for Republicans and President Trump. But it's not without controversy.

In talking to people around Tampa, some see this tax reform bill as the country's saving grace. Others say it'll do more harm than good, long-term. And, even a few admitted, they don't know much about it.

One tax bill. Two very different takes.

"I'm very excited. I feel like we've been taxed too much," said David Glass.

"When this thing goes through and gets implemented, it's going to hurt people," said Tim Heberlein, Regional Director with Organize Florida.

Those against it made it known Tuesday night in at Curtis Hixon Park in downtown Tampa. It's a last-ditch effort in hopes of swaying lawmakers, days, perhaps even hours before President Trump could sign it into law.

"The GOP is promising to make cuts to Medicaid, Medicare, next year," said Debbie King with Organize Florida. "So, they want to get this in so they can cut those programs next here."

"It's a clear statement that these people in this current administration, they do not care about the working people and what the working people feel and the things that the working people need," said Bleu Rainer, a Fight for 15 leader.

The protesters singled out Senator Marco Rubio, who initially threatened to vote against the $1.5 trillion dollar tax bill, but eventually, threw his support behind it once the Child Tax Credit was increased from $1,000 to $2,000. Rubio calls it "Pro-American jobs, pro-growth, and pro-family."

The protestors see it as pro-wealthy. "Most of the money goes to the wealthiest 1% and the benefits to the working class people, middle-class people, is short-term and rather minimal," said Charles Hustead.

Glass, who supports the tax bill, thinks people ought to give it a chance and wait for the results next year when families are expected to start seeing bigger paychecks.

"Everybody gets a little piece of the pie and a little bit more money in everybody's pocket at the end of the week, and hopefully, it stimulates, gets people going again," Glass said.