Topic: Roads

A $1.2 billion surplus enabled lawmakers to boost spending in several areas including transportation projects boost in funding. Also, the Senate confirmed the head of the Department of Economic Opportunity and lawmakers nixed a requirement that jobless benefit seekers must take a skills test . Read more . . .

The omnibus transportation package bounced between chambers in the final week of session last year, never making it into law, and with three weeks to go this year the House and Senate versions aren't evenly aligned.

The Senate version of a bill to create a regional transportation authority in central Florida would rope in Osceola County by the end of 2016, but the House version delays the merger until 2030.

The legislation would reduce the board members of the expressway authority from 13 to nine and is the subject of a simmering dispute over a vote to raise toll fees last year.

Lawmakers will consider proposals to repeal red light cameras, increase incentives for TV and film projects and give taxpayer money to sports franchises for stadium improvements. Gov.Scott wants more money for Visit Florida and transportation projects.

The future is hazy for the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority, as its executive director position remains open and bills move in the Legislature to reorganize it into a regional authority with surrounding counties.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce, having seen most of its agenda passed in recent years, will chase after bills that have stumbled in past legislative sessions.

The business lobby is keen to pass provisions to increase state funding for strategic airport projects, but legislative hurdles remain.

The governor requests that lawmakers approve record transportation spending, which he contends will help spur trade and jobs in the state.

The Orlando Republican was named the executive director of the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority after a contentious vote by its board of directors. ... Related Research: Jan. 7, 2014 Statement from Rep. Precourt.

The Department of Transportation will seek to pull the Panhandle bridge authority under the jurisdiction of the Florida Transportation Commission after similar proposals have failed in recent years. ... Related Research: Nov. 6, 2013 House Transportation & Highway Safety Subcommittee meeting materials, and meeting video from WFSU-TV/The FLORIDA Channel.

For Florida to diversify its economy in the long term, it will have to rely on a traditional sector -- tourism -- to produce the revenue necessary to fund investments in infrastructure to move the state toward becoming an international trading hub. ... Related Research: Trade and Logistics 2.0 report from the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

The Sunshine State is tied with Nevada for the lowest rate of structurally deficient bridges at 2.2 percent, according to a new report. ... Related Research: "Analysis: Disparity Exists in Condition of Local vs. State Bridges" and "Bridge Data: Inspections, Ratings Statistics, " both from Governing magazine.

A two-day meeting in Orlando produced vision statements that would make Florida the nation's leader in public education, health care and alternative transportation. Elected officials, university presidents and business leaders produced the statements, and they say the goals are not aspirational because Florida has the talent and resources to meet them.