Keep Us Informed; An Informal Audit

Despite thousands of emails, tweets, posts, calls and signatures from Florida’s transportation building industry and our allies, the $150 million State Transportation Trust Fund raid was not vetoed. The legislature left Governor Scott with few choices to fill this year’s budget gap. The Legislature’s careless, but deliberate, tying of the STTF raid to education funding will now have an unmistakable negative impact on jobs, business and the Florida’s overall economy.

While the fight may have been lost, the battle is certainly not over. Before Governor Scott signed the budget, he pledged he would do what was necessary to ensure future raids are stopped and increased transportation funding is thoroughly considered.

With the 2012 legislative session starting in early January, Florida’s transportation building industry must organize to help support Governor Scott as he works to protect the STTF. In order to keep history from repeating itself, we need to bring real-life examples of the repercussions the reduced FDOT budget will have on this state. Consider it an informal audit of the consequences of the legislature’s actions.

Over the next six months, email or call me directly (bburleson@ftba.com). Tell me the impacts seen at your company or what you’ve heard of others since the sweep of 2009 and the economic slowdown. All data will remain anonymous, but FTBA needs your help to stop the STTF raids before they even have legislative traction. On a monthly basis, be sure to send me the following information and hardships your company has experienced:

• Jobs Lost
• Equipment Sold
• Projects Deferred
• Worker Benefits Reduced

We need to continue reminding legislators and Governor Scott about our industry’s economic importance to the state. We hope you share your information with us.