A coalition of road-building industry and other business groups on Monday urged Gov. Rick Scott to veto a portion of the budget that will remove $150 million from the transportation trust fund, arguing it will kill jobs.
“The proposed $150 million raid on the transportation trust fund creates a potential $301.4 million reduction in the Department of Transportation’s construction work program from now through June 2012,” the Florida Transportation Builders Association (FTBA) and eight other organizations said in the letter. “This one-time sweep has the potential to eliminate more than 8,400 Florida private sector jobs and will only add to Florida’s strained unemployment compensation and healthcare systems.”
The groups pointed to the governor’s efforts to position Florida to take advantage of the expansion of the Panama Canal, and tried to link road-building to that.
“Without a substantial transportation infrastructure in place to help move those goods, Florida will jeopardize its chance to fully take advantage of this unique trade opportunity,” the letter said.
While Scott has until June 1 to sign the budget, there are reports he will do so later this week.
In addition to the FTBA, the letter signers were the: Asphalt Contractors Association of Florida, Associated Industries of Florida, Florida Engineering Society, Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers, Florida Public Transportation Association, Florida TaxWatch, Florida Trucking Association and the Underground Utility Contractors of Florid
