President Galvano spoke about not knowing what challenges lie ahead and
being agile and ready to respond. He also commented that we have to deal
with the state issues as they are “on this date” and remarked, “As my late father
said ‘Play the hole you are on.’
Bill Galvano
PRESIDENT
Florida Senate
Of note, Galvano shared his priorities (which include two of NUCA of Florida’s
priorities) stating he was eager to get to work. He shared that he believes the
future of Florida’s economy and the ability to expand and diversify is tied to
the strength of our infrastructure and investment therein--—transportation,
water, communications---encouraging members to think innovatively
when it comes to infrastructure to address both current and future needs.
He also spoke about attracting technology, not just tourists and expanding
opportunities for venture capital, job creators and startups.
Important to the construction industry, President Galvano also stressed the
demand for a well-trained, skilled workforce and encouraged members to
find ways to work with technical schools and state colleges to provide high-
paying, skilled jobs.
Jose Oliva
SPEAKER
Florida House of
Representatives
Across the rotunda, the House of Representatives chose Representative
Jose Oliva (R-Miami Lakes) to serve as the Speaker of the Florida House of
Representatives. Speaker Oliva thanked his family for their support and then
commented “It was a spirited and contentious election cycle, but now that the
campaigns are over, it is time to govern.”
Speaker Oliva urged members to “judiciously budget your time in favor of
searching before acting” and gave each member a journal in which to record
their struggles, challenges and triumphs.
He mentioned impediments to health care access and affordability, school
choice and local and state regulations that restrict free enterprise. Notably,
Speaker Oliva commented, “If affordable housing is important in your part of
the state, speak out against costly planning and zoning decisions and the
arbitrary use of impact fees for revenue.”
Speaker Oliva urged lawmakers to focus on things they could do together
like protecting our water, wildlife and natural resources and providing for our
foster children, developmentally-disabled and vulnerable seniors.
Moreover, similar to President Galvano’ s focus on infrastructure, Oliva touted
“like providing for the building and maintaining of our public roads, our public
works and all our public infrastructure.”
All in all, both key leaders seem to be on the same page with Florida’s future
at stake and care about construction issues such as workforce, affordable
housing, reducing unnecessary regulations and improving and expanding
infrastructure throughout the state. Let’s hope the other 158 legislators agree
to “play the hole you’re on” and fall in step,
• • •
6
DITCHMEN • NOVEMBER 2018