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Veto Short-Sighted Cuts To Water Projects

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 25, 2007

Gov. Charlie Crist should recognize what a majority of lawmakers fail to understand: developing water resources is essential to Florida's future.

Yet to make ends meet, the Legislature severely cut the $100 million fund that helps communities develop and preserve drinking-water sources.

The move could restrict the state's growth and prosperity. After all, a state chronically short of water will not attract newcomers, much less sustain its quality of life.

Already, Florida suffers severe water shortages, yet still expects a 25 percent increase in population by 2020.

The Water Protection and Sustainability Program Trust Fund was adopted in 2005 to give matching grants to local suppliers for projects that gather, clean, store and distribute water. It's funded by the documentary stamp fees assessed on real-estate sales.

As Sen. Paula Dockery of Lakeland, who sponsored the original legislation, points out, the matching-fund program already has generated more than $2 billion for water projects, of which only $200 million came from the state.

With the program cut by up to 30 percent - a loss of $20 million this year and $30 million in future years - local investment surely will drop, too. And the state's ability to meet water needs and preserve natural resources will be compromised.

Gov. Crist should veto this dangerously short-sighted cut.

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