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Florida Needs Stimulus Package

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By RAY BRADICK Special To The Tampa Tribune

The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 2, 2009

As federal and state governments deal with the current economic crisis, there has been a lot of talk about the next federal "stimulus" package.

By most accounts, the last stimulus package had little impact. In a recession people tend to save instead of spend, and dollars went into savings accounts instead of cash registers.

Now, the federal government is exploring a much smarter approach to economic stimulus ... a multi-billion-dollar package aimed at improving our nation's infrastructure, such as roads and bridges. There are several reasons why this approach makes sense.

First, the money will almost certainly be spent rather than saved. In communities throughout Florida, there are road and bridge improvement projects ready to go, but no money available to start work. A drop in state Transportation Trust Fund revenues led the Department of Transportation (FDOT) to defer 34 road projects in the 2007-08 fiscal year alone. This package would provide the cash needed to begin such projects and many more.

Second, this approach maintains jobs at a time in which jobs are being lost at a near-record pace. As CEO of an engineering company that has managed transportation projects throughout Florida for nearly 40 years, I know from first-hand experience that the road and bridge improvement projects on the books will create high-quality employment opportunities for engineers, planners, construction professionals, suppliers and more.

Third, it would work quickly. There will be little time needed to identify projects. These projects are already approved and, for the most part, designed and permitted, which will allow these projects to begin almost immediately.

Fourth, these projects are badly needed. According to the Federal Highway Administration, Florida has 302 bridges that are deemed "structurally deficient." Population growth has created a situation in which major roadways are greatly exceeding planned capacity. Recession or not, our roads and bridges are in need of repair, and we must act in the interest not only of our economy but also to ensure public safety.

Finally, this spending will likely have a secondary impact on business spending and job creation. Companies employed to complete the work will need to spend a significant amount of the revenue they earn on employee salaries, employment costs for third-party vendors, support services such as legal and accounting, materials and supplies, etc. According to an FDOT study, every dollar invested in its five-year work program would generate approximately $5.60 in benefits. Now that's stimulating.

The size of this stimulus package is up to our congressional leaders and incoming president to decide. Our elected leaders need to hear from us, however, if this plan is to be put into action. Call or write your legislator today and voice your support for an economic stimulus plan that puts people to work while addressing our growing need for transportation improvements.

Ray Bradick, P.S.M., is president and CEO of Bowyer-Singleton & Associates Inc., an Orlando-based engineering, surveying and mapping company with more than 200 employees in eight statewide offices, including Tampa Bay

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