AIA Florida News

AIA Florida Files Bill with Coalition
Over the last several months, AIA Florida has led a coalition with the Florida Engineering Society, the Florida Surveying and Mapping Society and the Florida Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects to develop House Bill 701. The purpose of the legislation is to establish that where a person or entity enters into a contract for professional services, that person or entity cannot sue the professional licensee that ultimately performs those contracted-for services in tort for negligence to recover purely economic damages. Rather, the person would be required to seek recovery of those damages pursuant to the bargained-for terms of the contract or contracts governing the performance of those services. This legislation is not intended to prohibit economic damages claims by individuals who suffer personal injury as a result of the malpractice nor is it intended to prohibit claims for damage to property that was not the subject of the professional services contract or contracts. Those claims would remain viable. This legislation would apply to those licensed under Chapters 471, 472 and 481, Florida Statutes.

 
AIA Florida is working with Senate staff to file the companion bill.

"Amendment 4" Likely to Cost 267,247 Florida Jobs
This week, Citizens for Lower Taxes and a Stronger Economy released the following statement about the effects of Amendment 4 on Florida:
 
Florida business, civic and labor leaders gathered in Tallahassee on Tuesday to hear the report of a top Florida economist showing that Amendment 4 - a proposed change to the state constitution - would lead to heavy job loss and higher costs for Floridians.

"The losses of Florida jobs under the 'Most Likely Scenario' are very high," reported Tony Villamil, economist for the Washington Economics Group, the organization that conducted the study. "Amendment 4's passage will have potentially devastating consequences to Florida's economy at a time when the economic situation at both the state and national levels is uncertain and at a time when attracting new businesses to Florida is essential for the future recovery and prosperity of the state and its residents."

The study considers a "Modest" and a "Most Likely" economic impact scenario. The study does not predict a "Worst Case" scenario. According to the study: Under both scenarios, Florida's economic dynamism is lost. This would permanently impact the economic growth potential for Florida, causing a steady decline in the standard of living of all Florida residents. Further, permanently impacting employment and growth within major industries and job-generating activities.
 
The economic study indicates that Amendment 4 will also have a major impact on Florida taxpayers. According to the study: Additionally, Florida's tax revenues would sharply slow as a result of Amendment 4's passage as fewer commercial and residential properties will be developed due to the increased costs and uncertainty associated with each comprehensive land-use plan referendum. This would force local and state governments to either raise taxes or cut services. Public schools, public safety and local health care services would suffer from both the direct impact of Amendment 4 (delay construction until the next election) and the indirect impact of fewer tax revenues from which to fund needed operations and capital investments.
 
Readers will recall that the AIA Florida Board of Directors adopted the following position on Amendment 4: AIA Florida is opposed to the Amendment 4 Constitutional Amendment that would require all rezoning and amendments to local comprehensive plans to be approved via referendum. (AIA Florida Legislative Policies approved since January 2007)

For more information about Amendment 4, CLICK HERE.

SunRail Receives Federal Funding
With a visit from President Obama came $1.25 billion in federal funding for the Florida SunRail. The rail is expected to run from Tampa to Orlando over 84 miles, and the goal will be to offer 16 round trips daily. What would normally take 90 minutes by car, will take less than an hour by train.
 
There are 13 large-scale rail projects spread across about 30 states that shared $8 billion. Other transportation corridors that received funding are: California for $2.34 billion, Washington and Oregon for $598 million, Illinois and Missouri for $1.13 billion, Minnesota and Wisconsin for $823 million, Ohio for $400 million, Michigan for $244 million, North Carolina and Virginia for $620 million, New York for $151 million, Maine for $35 million, Washington, D.C., to Boston for $112 million, Pennsylvania for $27 million, New England for $160 million and other regions for $27 million.
 
"This will be one of the largest boosts to the state's economy since Disney, since the interstate highway system," U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Orlando) said Wednesday.
 
The Florida Department of Transportation estimates that this project would create up to 23,000 construction and engineering jobs over four years, with additional permanent jobs supporting passenger service by 2014.