Not Down and Out: Floridians Jobs Too Important

We had the opportunity to speak with WTXL-ABC the other day as industry leaders prepared to speak in front of the House Committee on Transportation and Economic Development (TED) Appropriations. Reporter Jerry Hume addressed FTBA’s concerns regarding the Committee’s vote to move ahead with raids on the State Transportation Trust Fund (STTF) and the resulting impacts on jobs. You can view the story here http://bit.ly/apsO7a. Although Tuesday’s vote served a blow to the state’s transportation industry, we’re certainly not down and out – this is just the first step.

With a strictly party-line vote, the Committee passed legislation which would sweep $428 million from the STTF. Thanks to the support of Asphalt Contractors Association of Florida, Associated Industries of Florida, APAC-Florida (FTBA member), CW Roberts Contracting (FTBA Member), the Florida Chamber of Commerce, Florida Concrete & Products Association, Florida Engineering Society, Florida Ports Council, Florida Trucking Association and Florida TaxWatch, the consequences of a trust fund raid resonated with TED’s members.

It’s important to remember that this is only the first step in the legislative process and the fight isn’t over. With a record high unemployment number released last week, we cannot afford to push the jobless rate any further. It’s imperative that the main points below, stated at the hearing this week, resound with the House Appropriations Committee before they vote to include the sweep in the budget on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 11 a.m.

Jose Gonzalez, Associated Industries of Florida
“There has been a lot of talk nationally and here in Florida about what we can do to reverse the worsening unemployment rate. Regrettably, the STTF sweep would have the opposite effect and could possibly result in the loss of 100,000 jobs. For every $1 spent on road construction, $7 is returned to the economy.”

John Skidmore, APAC-Florida“
Since January of 2008, a lack of consistent work and revenue resulted in our company laying off nearly 550 employees. At best with current DOT funding levels, we expect to reduce our workforce by another 20 percent to 25 percent by year-end. That’s another 150 to 200 jobs and another 150 to 200 families without an APAC paycheck. It’s much more than a number in a budget allocation memo – for my family and the families of all APAC-Florida employees, it’s our livelihood.”

Gabe Sheheane, Florida Chamber of Commerce
“A congested road for Florida’s businesses equates to loss in productivity as well as increased operational costs. In Florida, the transportation industry has been an economic cornerstone and addressing the possible of a complete lack of funding for the Florida Department of Transportation is an issue that must be carefully reviewed not just swept under the mat.”

Frank Rudd, Florida Engineering Society
“Taking this money out of the trust fund and putting it into general revenue will dramatically transform the Department of Transportation’s work program for the next five years in the worst way possible for our industry. With no money to complete new, sustainable road building projects, you can guarantee close to 6,000 engineering jobs will be lost in the next year.”

Mike Rubin, Florida Ports Council
“This is not a deferral of money for transportation funding. This is money that is completely gone and will not be coming back once removed from the State Transportation Trust Fund. Projects that were slated to be built to better Florida’s intermodal transportation system will simply be deleted – these projects, and the jobs that support them, will not be coming back. Let’s trim responsibly with a fine-eye rather than an all-encompassing heavy-handed approach.”

Mary Lou Rajchel, Florida Trucking Association
“For every $1 billion invested by state governments on highway construction and improvements, more that 27,000 jobs are created. To help sustain Florida’s trucking industry, we need well-maintained roads that provide egress into communities big and small, so we can deliver food, products and goods people count on in their daily lives.”