APWA Government Affairs – Activity Report Item 28

The committee of Chris Evers and myself will be soliciting new members and ideas to update our position paper. If there is support from the board, at least two members of the government affairs committee or executive board should travel to Tallahassee in February or early March to meet with key legislators and staff. In the mean time, we will be watching legislation as it is filed. Please let either myself or Chris know if there items we need to be watching.

Our current position paper:

WHO WE ARE

The American Public Works Association (APWA) is an international educational and professional association of public agencies, private sector companies, and individuals, with a diversified membership of over 29,000. Originally chartered in 1937, APWA is the largest and oldest organization of its kind in the world, with headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri, an office in Washington, D.C., and 64 chapters throughout North America. APWA provides a forum in which public works professionals can exchange ideas, improve professional competency, increase the performance of their agencies and companies, and bring important public works-related topics to public attention in local, state and federal arenas.

The Florida Chapter of the American Public Works Association marked its official beginning at the inaugural meeting held in the Cherry Plaza Hotel in Orlando Florida on May 6, 1960. The Florida Chapter is one of the largest chapters in the National organization with nearly 1,300 members and 11 local branches throughout the state.

Governmental Affairs Committee

Chris Evers
Evers Infrastructure Group LLC.
Phone: 727-638-1699
E-mail:
APWA Involvement:
Florida Chapter President 2011-12
Florida West Coast Branch Chair: 2005 - 2006
Florida Public Works Director Roundtable
Government Affairs Committee (Florida) / George Recktenwald
Director of Public Works
Volusia County
Phone:386-740-5120
E-mail:
APWA Involvement:
Florida Member since 1998
Florida Public Works Director Roundtable
Government Affairs Committee (Florida)

OUR CONCERNS

As the economy recovers in Florida, will our aging public infrastructure hinder development and growth in our state? Cutbacks in Public Works have left many local agencies short of manpower and underfunded. The Florida Chapter of APWA recognizes the need to control government spending. However, we are concerned about the ability of our municipalities and counties to function effectively at greatly reduced budget levels, impacting our abilities to provide:

·  Acceptable levels of public services (transportation, utilities, community functions) to taxpayers

·  Maintenance of Florida’s aging infrastructure, every $1 spent on preventative maintenance saves $7 to $10 over reconstruction costs

·  Emergency response to natural disasters, such as hurricanes

OUR POSITIONS

The Florida Chapter of APWA has adopted the following position statements regarding public works:

·  INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING – WE SUPPORT increased funding in Florida’s infrastructure. Significant investment is needed to help reverse years of decay and such investment will lead to the creation of thousands of jobs. Studies show that every $1 invested in transportation infrastructure yields $5.50 in positive economic activity.

·  INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING - WE SUPPORT the indexing of all state and local gas taxes and removal of restrictions on use of local option taxes to allow for major road and bridge rehabilitations. We also support increases in funding from the FDOT to local governements for Transportation Regional Incentive (TRIP) grants, traffic signal maintenance and infrastructure to serve commuter rail.

·  STATE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND – WE OPPOSE any effort to further divert revenues from the state transportation trust fund for non-transportation purposes. We also oppose dedicating anymore than 65% of funding for Strategic Inter-model Systems (SIS) facilities.

·  WATER – WE SUPPORT alternative water supply programs. Water infrastructure projects also stimulate economic development and create jobs. It is estimated that for every $1 invested in water supply projects there is a $7 return on investment.

OUR REQUESTS

The Florida Chapter of APWA would like to thank you for your continued support of public infrastructure in Florida and offer to:

·  Partner with the Florida Legislature in developing a solution(s) to meet our fiscal responsibilities and continued investment in our public infrastructure.

Provide expertise in reviewing critical public works related issues that may come before the Florida Legislature, offering analysis of potential impacts and testimony.

Federal Legislation Supported or being monitored by APWA

HR 3582 The Water Protection and Reinvestment Act of 2013

State Legislation we are watching:

HB 49 and SB 76 Springs Revival Act – Provides $380 million to remove or repair aging septic tanks in major spring areas. It proposed to use 20% of the net documentary stamp revenue.

Other legislative items to watch :

The current surface transportation bill, MAP-21 will expire this September,

House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Schuster (R-PA) is pushing to have a new bill ready for a Senate conference well ahead of the September expiration.

FEMA Stafford act changes – debris removal is being updated and may include provisions that require stronger estimates upfront, but less auditing after the fact.