The Importance of YOUR Vote

With only days until the 2010 election and early voting already underway, the opportunity to make an impact on our future is right in front of us. Midterm elections such as this year’s are notorious for drawing low voter turn out at the polls. The last midterm election in 2006 brought only 46 percent of Florida’s registered voters out of their homes and into the ballot box. However, we must not allow complacency to rule the day. The candidates we select to serve in public office, especially the governor, will have an enormous impact on the future of our state’s transportation industry and further economic vitality. This is why I urge you to exercise your right to vote in this election. By doing so, you can ensure Florida will have strong, effective leaders who aren’t afraid to stand up and do what is best for Florida.

As of September, Florida’s unemployment rate had risen to 11.9 percent. In hard times like these, it is imperative that our elected officials understand a well-financed transportation program is essential for job creation and ultimate economic success. For every $1 billion invested in transportation infrastructure, 28,000 jobs are created. This kind of growth will help get our economy back on track, as well as provide citizens with safe, reliable, and cost-effective means of transport. In a state which relies so heavily on tourism, an effective, integrated transportation system is a must.

Florida’s legislature has a history of using the Transportation Trust Fund as a piggybank for them to crack open every time the budget gets tight. This year, they attempted to pass a bill which would have stolen $160 million dollars from transportation. Current Governor Charlie Crist fortunately recognized the threat the proposed raid posed and vetoed it. This goes to show why having leaders who are supportive of transportation are an asset to us all. Thankfully, both candidates running to our state’s next governor, Democrat Alex Sink and Republican Rick Scott, realize how critical the transportation industry is to the economy and Floridians quality of life. Each have expressed their intent to refrain from robbing the trust fund and keep the revenue from transportation taxes where it belongs- in funding transportation projects.

Candidates often make hefty promises on the campaign trail. Now, more than ever, we need elected officials who will follow through on his or her campaign promises to adequately fund essential aspects of our infrastructure. This state’s transportation system is the backbone of Florida’s economy, and now is the time to elect leaders who are willing to protect it.

Every vote matters. If you are not currently familiar with your designated voting location, please visit the Florida Division of Elections website: http://registration.elections.myflorida.com/default.aspx. Share this information with your employees, co-workers, family and friends. We are all in this together and have earned the right to be included in this fundamental civic duty.

Solution for the Economy, Solution for Global Competitiveness – In Florida & Across the Nation

Over the weekend, Florida Times-Union reporter, Brandon Larrabee brought transportation issues to the forefront of the race for Florida governor. His Oct. 9th article – “Florida’s next governor will face key transportation issues” - hit on many of the same points the Florida Transportation Builders’ Association (FTBA) has been promoting since the proposed raids on the state transportation trust fund during the last legislative session.

Larrabee pointed to Florida’s growing transportation needs and the role the state’s next governor will play in making sure Florida citizens and businesses are able to traverse a safe and efficient transportation network. He goes on to write, “With Florida's population expected to grow over the next several years, either Alex Sink or Rick Scott will be faced with ensuring the state's transportation network keeps up with the growth when one of them becomes governor after the November elections.”

Read his complete article here.

As I’ve written before, Florida’s Transportation Trust Fund seems to have support of both the Republican and Democratic candidates in this contentious governor’s race. Unfortunately, Florida’s transportation funding issues are forcing FTBA members to make decisions which cannot rely on campaign promises.

In a statement I released to the media yesterday about President Obama’s recent announcement, asking lawmakers to support a $50 bill transportation infrastructure initiative, I pointed to this same issue: “Members of the Florida Transportation Builders’ Association (FTBA) and other road builders nationwide are making critical decisions every day whether to hire or lay off workers and sell or buy equipment without knowing if long-term transportation funding is available. Our members have also reported cutting their workforce by 40 percent in response to a lack of transportation road projects over the last few years… Both Republicans and Democrats should be able to support a job-creating project such as this six-year transit investment plan…With such a high return on investment, high unemployment numbers and a very competitive road-building market place, it surely is time to take action. Florida’s transportation industry has always been a key element in the strength of our state’s economy and it’s no different on a national stage.”

It may seem for the time being that whoever comes out victorious on November 2nd, the State Transportation Trust Fund may be safe from a general revenue raid during the 2011 state legislative session. I expect we will still have a fight with the Legislature. But what happens in the interim? The road construction industry will continue to struggle until we get put back to work.