Legislative Update

An allocation of $70 million has gone to "fast-track projects," those she described as "quick, high-return projects." In addition, two annual installments of $300 million from general revenues have been allocated to transportation. "That's a very good start," Marsiglio says, but "in transportation terms, that could be spent very quickly."

Transportation issues are of particular interest to Southwest Florida economic development, where the Southwest Florida Transportation Initiative has been formed specifically to address transportation issues. Rep. J. Dudley Goodlette, R-Naples, is responsible for House Bill 199, "a fabulous program" that promotes local participation in transportation funding, Marsiglio says. It sets up an incentive program to encourage local funding so that counties that take certain steps will be recognized with matched funding from the state. "That's a real unique take, a real different approach," she says.

Under Goodlette's bill, "only four counties now would be eligible for grant money," she says. "Two of them are Lee and Collier counties."

Ergonomics Regulation

While the United States Congress might not get much done while its members posture for campaigns, government regulatory agencies are likely to be very busy trying to get new rules and regulations through before the administration changes, says Coratolo, at the U.S. Chamber.

One of those efforts that could severely affect businesses is the ergonomics regulation proposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The proposal would require employers to adapt their workplaces to prevent workers' injuries from such situations as repetitive motion, over-exertion or awkward position.

The regulation includes a requirement that a worker with an injury diagnosed as ergonomic could have the work environment adjusted -- by changing the height of a keyboard or work area, for example. Another aspect of the proposal says that a worker assigned to lighter duty during recovery would be entitled to normal pay and benefits.

While the Labor Department estimates the cost to employers at about $4.2 billion a year, opponents, including the Chamber, argue that estimate represents a tiny fraction of the actual cost. What's more, they say, there is no scientific basis to justify the regulation and OSHA pushed the proposal forward before a study is completed that is expected to address such concerns.

State and regional chambers work on growth management issues

Chuck Littlejohn, environmental lobbyist for the Florida Chamber, met in late December with members of The Chamber of Southwest Florida's Regional Business Leadership Coalition (RBLC). The purpose: to review environmental issues facing businesses in this region and to discuss growth management issues from a state and regional perspective.

According to Littlejohn, growth management has moved to the top of the list of priorities for the Bush administration in Tallahassee, largely because senior state lawmakers who will be retiring next year have been pushing for action. Governor Bush and legislative leaders had originally hoped to put off most growth management issues until the 2001session.

Littlejohn provided fact sheets about the top 12 national environmental advocacy organizations. He warned the RBLC members that business is neither as well organized nor as well coordinated as the environmental lobby. Littlejohn said business has not been nearly as effective in getting its messages heard by the courts, lawmakers and media. He urged increased cooperation between pro-business groups, especially in many of the expensive court battles that typically lead to new environmental restrictions.

Transportation and infrastructure concerns are other issues closely related to the growth management challenge facing Southwest Florida. On Dec. 14, the Lee County Commissioners voted unanimously to ask voters this March 14 to approve an additional one-cent local option sales tax to help pay for juvenile justice facilities, a new jail, hurricane evacuation, libraries and roads. The RBLC learned details about the chamber's involvement in the sales tax issue.

For further information, contact Steve Tirey, Chamber of Southwest Florida president and CEO, at 278-1231.

Jill Tyrer is a freelance business writer.