Local legislators want money for red tide research, new transportation agency

Citing a tight budget and their roles in shepherding statewide priorities in health care, constitutional revision and other issues, local lawmakers say they are tracking a modest slate of proposals that affect constituents in Collier and Lee counties.

Rep. Mike Davis, R-Naples, said restoring previously eliminated red tide research money is a top budget priority as lawmakers spend the next two months wrangling over the state's proposed $55 billion budget.

Bush cut $1 million from the $2 million program in 2002 and didn't restore the money last year. Bush's recommendation for the 2004 Legislature doesn't restore the $1 million cut.

The St. Petersburg-based Florida Marine Research Institute tallied 98 red tide-related manatee deaths in 2003 compared with 73 manatees killed in collisions with boats. In all, 380 manatees were found dead in Florida waters.

"This is not just an environmental issue," Davis said. "It's an economic issue as well."

Southwest Florida lawmakers, along with several public officials in both Lee and Collier counties, have called for restoring the research money because of the effect red tide is having on tourism.

On other issues, local lawmakers hope they can muster support to create a Southwest Florida Expressway Authority to pay for widening Interstate 75 in Collier and Lee counties.

The authority would be authorized to issue bonds to pay for the estimated $650 to $750 million project that would add four toll lanes along the interstate.

Widening of the interstate to six lanes from four is scheduled to start in Collier in 2010 and in Lee County in 2008, with work estimated to be completed about two years after that.

The state's long-range work plan doesn't call for the interstate in Collier and Lee counties to become 10 lanes until 2030. Collier commissioners believe that, with rapid growth, it is critical that the interstate have 10 lanes much sooner. The Expressway Authority would provide the extra lanes sooner.

As recently as last week, Davis said he wouldn't file a bill unless county commissioners from Charlotte, Collier and Lee supported his bill. This past Tuesday, Lee and Collier commissioners voted to support Davis' bill.

Lee commissioners were a tough sell, but in the end voted unanimously to support the bill.

The latest bill would only allow the expressway authority to address improvements to I-75 and connecting roads.

Charlotte commissioners have expressed support for the bill, but the initial version didn't include that county.

Davis said the lone amendment he might make would be to add a clause that would allow Charlotte County to join the authority in the future. The three counties jointly requested that during a meeting of their county commissions a week ago, but Davis already had submitted the bill.

The bill calls for a seven-member voting authority that would be made up of one county commissioner from both Lee and Collier; one appointee by the county commission from each county; a gubernatorial appointee for each county picked from a list of five nominated by county commissioners, and the executive director of the Southwest Florida Regional Planning Council.

The bill appropriates $2.5 million in startup costs. The authority would end after 12 years if dormant.

The authority may enter into an agreement with the counties for the pledging of county gas taxes or other revenues. The authority also would have the power to enter into contracts with the counties. But the authority would have no power to pledge the credit or taxing power of the counties.

Even if the bill passes, that doesn't mean the toll project would happen.

Debbie Tower, a Florida Department of Transportation spokeswoman, said the Florida Turnpike Enterprise is conducting a feasibility study to determine whether a toll project on the interstate could work. Results are expected in the spring.

"What the Turnpike Enterprise provides in terms of analysis, I think, is very important before the first step is taken," she said.

Other statewide issues with a significant local effect also are expected to be heard.

Identical bills by Sen. Burt Saunders, R-Naples, and Rep. Carole Green, R-Fort Myers, would provide immunity to physicians who donate their medical expertise to charitable groups such as the local Salvation Army. Physicians now face potentially damaging medical malpractice claims.

Saunders said such acts of charity shouldn't result in civil action. Immunity wouldn't cover surgical procedures.

A move to bolster trauma center funding also would affect local interests. Proposals to boost trauma center funding by funneling certain traffic ticket fines to trauma care would help Lee Memorial's trauma center in Fort Myers. Hospital officials have informed state regulators they will shut its doors unless they can recoup some of the $10 million a year the trauma center loses.

Rep. David Rivera, R-Miami, plans to sponsor a measure requiring growers to readily provide pesticide information to workers. Rivera said he's trying to strike a compromise between agricultural interests and farmworkers over who should have access to pesticide information.

Staff Writer John Henderson contributed to this report.