What will Florida do with $13 billion?
Supporters are lining up with a list of ideas on how their counties can spend the money. In Tavares, a company called Spencer Fabrications would build 320 new bus stop shelters for Lynx. Lynx may use the $30 million of the $787 billion federal stimulus to hire vendors to complete these shelters.
Contracts to build these shelters may employ many people that are unemployed looking for work. County officials may be able to save some of the schools that are being shut down due to budget cuts. Teachers that are terminated may benefit by being rehired as soon as the money is disbursed.
To date, many Federal and state officials do not know how much is awarded to local governments. Many believe that Central Florida which represents 20% of Florida may be in line for $2.7 billion of the stimulus package.
Desperately in need is the state's unemployment benefit and education programs which may be in line for another $3 billion for dislocated workers. But miles of bureaucratic red-tape makes it difficult to determine when the money will be granted.
But this money comes with great accountability and oversight said Florida's state officials. Designated to oversee Florida's share of the money is Don Winstead, deputy secretary of DCF. Interested parties can consult Florida's new website flarecovery.com to verify the state's fiscal integrity and accountability.
Law enforcement agencies across the nation will benefit from more than $135 million in grants compared with $10 million for local agencies that will be required to submit applications in order to spend it. With this bill, there will be higher reporting requirements than past grants.
Further hopeful's include the Orlando Science Center in line for $3.2 million and fund conservation programs in the order of $23 million. Expansion of Florida highways, bridges, sidewalks, local road repairs, widening of route 50, intelligent transportation systems, fiber optic networks, and traffic surveillance & control will share $1.4 billion dollars out of the $13 billion allocated to Florida.
Unfortunately, competitive bidding for things like improvement to the 3,000 foot taxiway at Orlando International Airport could be outsourced allocating money outside of Florida.
These contracts could potentially create economic benefits as well as hundreds of jobs for Central Florida slated for 2009-2010.
Contracts to build these shelters may employ many people that are unemployed looking for work. County officials may be able to save some of the schools that are being shut down due to budget cuts. Teachers that are terminated may benefit by being rehired as soon as the money is disbursed.
To date, many Federal and state officials do not know how much is awarded to local governments. Many believe that Central Florida which represents 20% of Florida may be in line for $2.7 billion of the stimulus package.
Desperately in need is the state's unemployment benefit and education programs which may be in line for another $3 billion for dislocated workers. But miles of bureaucratic red-tape makes it difficult to determine when the money will be granted.
But this money comes with great accountability and oversight said Florida's state officials. Designated to oversee Florida's share of the money is Don Winstead, deputy secretary of DCF. Interested parties can consult Florida's new website flarecovery.com to verify the state's fiscal integrity and accountability.
Law enforcement agencies across the nation will benefit from more than $135 million in grants compared with $10 million for local agencies that will be required to submit applications in order to spend it. With this bill, there will be higher reporting requirements than past grants.
Further hopeful's include the Orlando Science Center in line for $3.2 million and fund conservation programs in the order of $23 million. Expansion of Florida highways, bridges, sidewalks, local road repairs, widening of route 50, intelligent transportation systems, fiber optic networks, and traffic surveillance & control will share $1.4 billion dollars out of the $13 billion allocated to Florida.
Unfortunately, competitive bidding for things like improvement to the 3,000 foot taxiway at Orlando International Airport could be outsourced allocating money outside of Florida.
These contracts could potentially create economic benefits as well as hundreds of jobs for Central Florida slated for 2009-2010.
posted by michael at
7:21 AM
