Florida House Speaker Richard Corcoran is filing a lawsuit to stop what he calls an illegal tax being charged by the city of Tampa.
The Republican legislator announced the lawsuit on Thursday. The lawsuit is part of a series of moves Corcoran announced to go after local economic development and local tourism marketing agencies.
Tampa enacted what it calls a "tourism marketing assessment" earlier this year. Hotels in the Ybor City and downtown area add a $1.50 per night charge on each room.
Corcoran said local officials were "spitting in the face of the constitution" by enacting the fee without legislative authority.
The House lawsuit could complicate a proposal to build a new ballpark in Hillsborough County for the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays currently play in neighboring St. Petersburg.
