Topic: FL Dept. of Transportation

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 . . .

Lawmakers agree to earmark money for a Coast to Coast Connector, a project linking 275 miles of paved bicycling trails across Central Florida. In 2013, Scott vetoed $50 million in the budget for the project. But he praised it during an October ground-breaking ceremony in Titusville. "The Coast to Coast Connector is truly a project that is good for Florida's economy, tourism and jobs," Scott said.

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.

A priority bill for the House Speaker making it easier for those with suspended drivers licenses to get their licenses back was added to a Senate omnibus transportation bill Wednesday.

A provision preventing cities and counties from installing red light cameras at new intersections was removed from a bill in the House, but local governments are still concerned about proposed restrictions on how money from red-light-camera tickets can be used. .

The executive director of the Department of Economic Opportunity sailed through another Senate confirmation hearing Monday, but key parts of Gov. Rick Scott's budget proposal for his agency didn't make it into an initial Senate budget plan.

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 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.

Legislation to stop local governments from setting up new red-light cameras and limiting the revenue they can collect from associated fines passed through its first House committee Thursday, but it's merely the first round in the annual red-light camera fight.

A proposed committee bill before the House Transportation and Highway Safety Subcommittee this week would prohibit new red light cameras erected by municipalities and reduce ticket fines.

The Brandes-Clemens bill would increase the speed limit by 5-miles per hour on Interstates and highways. It would be the first change in Florida's maximum speed limit since 1996.

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.