Seeing the potential of public/private
partnerships (“P3”) as the preferred means for funding and building public
projects now and in the future, Governor Rick Scott has pushed a P3 statute near
the top of his agenda for the upcoming legislative session. Since the last
session, he led a trip to Spain to court some of the biggest P3 financiers and
builders in the world, espousing the vast potential for P3 jobs in Florida.
Legislators have already been tapped to sponsor P3 bills in the House and Senate
and bill drafting is currently underway. As a result of the current crisis in
public university funding, the Florida Board of Governors appointed a task force
on facilities funding that is looking into possible legislation, including P3
legislation, with a charge to report its findings by November 7, 2012, in time
to seek a legislative cure.
P3 legislation is not just a pipe dream. A
comprehensive bill (some would say too comprehensive) passed the Florida House
in the last week of this past legislative session, but without enough time for
the Senate to vote on it, especially in light of other legislative priorities
such as budgets and reapportionment. However, that was the furthest a non-DOT P3
bill had traveled in the legislature, suggesting increased momentum for P3
legislation. This year, with gubernatorial support and a wellspring of concern
about the need for public funds for construction, infrastructure and
maintenance, we expect to see the much-needed statutory framework for P3 this
year.
If any of you are interested or participating in
the drafting or support of P3 legislation, please contact me so we can
coordinate efforts. You can reach me at Lee Weintraub, phone number (954) 985-4147, email lweintraub@becker-poliakoff.com,
fax (954) 985-4176.
Together we can kick start this new era of public
construction and jobs growth in Florida.
