Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida November 2018 | Page 8

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