Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida Ditchmen - March 2024(clone) | Page 5

Our focus moving forward needs to be twofold : 1 ) Increase our contributions to our Advocacy Fund . What would it cost your company in project delays if two more days were added to the locate timelines ? Consider joining our Bidding for Benjamin ’ s program by sending $ 100 for every new job you secure , donate to our $ 160 for 160 legislator seats or just send any amount to help us stay in the political game . Donations can be made online at www . nucaflorida . org or mailed to our office at 215 S . Monroe Street , Suite 500 , Tallahassee , Florida 32301 .
2 ) Step up our Advocacy Game . Get involved with NUCA Chapters , the state association and Sunshine 811 . Attend the Sunshine 811 meetings , many of which are offered via Zoom . Get to know your local locate folks . Help shape the NUCA of Florida Legislative agenda and participate in Legislative Days to lobby lawmakers on behalf of your industry . Meet your local lawmakers in their district . If you are interested in serving on the Sunshine 811 Board as the NUCA of Florida representative , reach out to me pronto to get the application link as the Board meets on May 17 and will make new appointments .
In closing , take a quick look at the GOP donors listed below . Did you notice how many are related to the utilities ? My favorite phrase for explaining the importance of advocacy reads : “ Get into politics or get out of business .” No truer words have been spoken .
The Republican Party of Florida reported that it raised about $ 2.92 million during the first three months of 2024 . Here are businesses that were among the largest donors to the party during the period :
■ Duke Energy : $ 250,000
■ NextEra Energy Capital Holdings : $ 100,000
■ United States Sugar : $ 100,000
■ Anheuser Busch Companies : $ 50,500
■ School Development HC Finance : $ 50,000
■ South Florida Stadium LLC d / b / a Hard Rock Stadium : $ 50,000
■ Charter Communications : $ 40,000
■ United Group Underwriters : $ 30,000
■ Dealer Services Network : $ 25,000
■ Florida Power & Light : $ 25,000
■ Mosaic Global Sales : $ 25,000
■ Pepsico : $ 25,000
■ Sea and Shoreline , LLC : $ 25,000
■ Underdog Sports : $ 25,000
Source : Florida Division of Elections
APRIL 2024 • DITCHMEN 3