Advocates: Everglades recuperation would create jobs
On Tuesday the Everglades Foundation and contractors involved in restoration efforts called on the Florida legislature to maintain funding for the programs, saying cuts would cost private sector jobs. # Funding for the efforts peaked at $200 million under Jeb Bush, and under Gov
Jul 31, 20202.3K Shares262.5K Views
On Tuesday the Everglades Foundation and contractors involved in restoration efforts called on the Florida legislature to maintain funding for the programs, saying cuts would cost private sector jobs. #
Funding for the efforts peaked at $200 million under Jeb Bush, and under Gov. Rick Scott’s budget plan could fall to $17 million from the current $50 million, a loss that could be amplified by additional cuts at water management districts. #
David Stites of Taylor Engineering in Jacksonville said Everglades restoration efforts have helped stem the flow of losses as business from state and local governments dried up due to plummeting property values, and that the proposed budget reductions are already leading to cutbacks. #
They sent letters to Scott, Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon, Senate President Mike Haridopolos, and U.S. Sens. Bill Nelson and Marco Rubio. A sample is below: #
Please support continued state funding of Everglades restoration. Not only do these projects protect a source of drinking water for one in three Floridians, improve our water quality and restore one of Florida’s most precious ecosystems — they also create quality private-sector jobs in the state of Florida. Throughout Florida, there are private-sector employees planning, designing and building the individual projects that restore the Everglades. The efforts of these hard-working men and women will help secure Florida’s supply of water and help rebuild our economy. #*
We write to you as a group of businesses working on the restoration of the Everglades. Continued state funding of Everglades restoration will help ensure that the federal government stands by its commitment to fund these important projects and will allow construction to move forward. The Everglades stand at a crossroads. With large land acquisition projects completed, Florida is poised to reap the benefits from the construction of key restoration projects — projects that we proudly help design and build. #*
Funding for Everglades restoration has been reduced from a one-time level of $200 million and has already been subject to disproportionate budget reductions over the last few years. Cuts to funding could mean a loss of jobs. #*
This legislative session, please continue to stand by Florida’s commitment to the Everglades. Know that continued funding for these projects is invested in private businesses, like ours, that will help make the goals of this great effort a reality. #*