Gubernatorial Candidates Line Up Behind Florida’s Transportation System

Gubernatorial Candidates Line Up Behind Florida’s Transportation System

Last week, Attorney General Bill McCollum revealed his plan to create jobs and provide real solutions for Florida’s transportation infrastructure and overall economic viability. The Attorney General is the first gubernatorial candidate to release a transportation vision plan of this scale but we are hopeful other candidates will be doing so as Election Day nears. His proposal stands to make a huge impact on the future of Florida’s transportation industry and illustrates the economic potential our industry can provide when properly funded. This announcement clearly displays McCollum’s understanding that transportation funding creates jobs.

However, the support of Florida’s cabinet members comes at no surprise to those who followed our fight to keep the transportation trust fund intact during the last legislative session. Both the Attorney General and our state’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Alex Sink, were strong advocates for the security of the transportation industry. When Legislators on both sides of the aisle aimed to steal millions of dollars from the transportation trust fund, AG McCollum – along with CFO Sink - stood up and called on lawmakers to cease the raids and use the fund as it was originally intended. Sending a letter directly to Speaker of the House, Larry Cretul, the Attorney General carefully explained the economic impact the transportation contracting industry has on Florida’s long-term financial sustainability. Similarly, CFO Sink asked lawmakers to carefully consider the importance of a reliable, interconnected transportation network and stressed the need to continue to invest in Florida’s transportation infrastructure.

We applauded both their efforts then and we’re happy to see this continued support today from these Governor-hopefuls.

In an effort to maintain his promise to protect transportation jobs and funding, AG McCollum’s plan includes several overarching goals, including the enhancement of “Florida’s strategic intermodal system” to achieve coordinated goals. His plan also specifically calls for the restoration of the “Future Corridors” process to ensure long-term planning. If elected governor, AG McCollum vowed to implement his plan and stated that it was an integral part of his overall economic agenda.

For now, the Attorney General has provided us with hopeful visions of the future. If elected, AG McCollum won’t stand for the transportation trust fund to be used as the Legislature’s piggy bank - lawmakers will simply have to look elsewhere for revenue. Despite positive actions by both McCollum and Sink, many industry veterans know future attempts to sweep the trust fund will continue to be a major concern. Looking forward, it is my hope that AG McCollum’s long-term transportation vision will be echoed by the other gubernatorial candidates. With all contenders in agreement, the trust fund can be left to its original intent – funding Florida’s transportation projects and putting us to work!

To view AG Bill McCollum’s plan visit http://bit.ly/bb4wDk.