before vetoing a record $461 million from the state budget.
Budget Items of Interest to NUCA of Florida Members
Over $73 million in water infrastructure projects were tucked away in the budget which was sent to the governor, $50 million of it magically appearing after late night negotiations between the House and Senate Budget chiefs. He slashed more than $25 million of those water projects citing that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the state’s five water management districts provide funding for programs that protect water quality and water supplies. The largest of the water projects vetoed was $6 million for an advanced wastewater treatment and water reuse demonstration project in Altamonte Springs. Those projects, along with tens of millions of additional member’s projects which were added at the last minute by Senator Tom Lee and Representative Richard Corcoran, were cut by the governor as well.
The Clean Water State Revolving Fund remains healthy under the new budget. DEP will have over $223.3 million available for low interest loans to local governments for the construction of wastewater treatment and stormwater management systems, including collection and transmission sewers, reclaimed water (reuse) systems. Also, included in DEP’s
budget is $91 million for low interest loans for construction of drinking water system.
The budget also provides $47 million for local water projects to enhance the quality of water.
The Department of Transportation Work Program saw a record $9.3 billion included in the budget, covering road projects, resurfacing, bridge replacement and repairs as well as money for seaport and aviation improvements.
Also of interest in the budget is the governor’s approval of $250,000 for enhancements for enforcement of stings and sweeps to combat unlicensed construction activity. He did this while vetoing similar funding for the real estate, certified public
accountants and architecture and interior design professions. Governor Scott also vetoed funding for Future Builders of America citing state dollars should not be used to fund the program and would be more appropriately addressed by industry.
We really haven’t lacked for news coming out of Tallahassee since the end of the Special Session and the governor taking action on the budget. Reaction to the governor’s vetoes brought howls from the Senate Republicans, which could (continued on next page)