Florida Raids Transportation Pot To Fill Gaps in New 2010 Budget

Florida lawmakers passed a $70-billion 2010 budget on the final day of the legislative session on April 30, but raided the state Transportation Trust Fund of $160 million to help fill a revenue gap. “It’s going to defer some more projects, no question about it,” says Bob Burleson, president of the Florida Transportation Builders’ Association in Tallahassee. Kevin Thibault, Florida Dept. of Transportation, says “it’s too early to tell” how the lost revenue will affect planned projects, but it will likely push out start dates. Burleson says the delays could add up to as much as $400 million in deferred projects and could include maintenance work. “We’re still hoping the governor will veto the budget,” he says.