Florida Gov. Rick Scott, according to a March 13, 2011 article in the "St. Lucie News Tribune", cut out new state funding for beach renourishment in his budget. By doing so, his actions will ensure that many millions of dollars in federal funds (matching funds) will be cut, as well. So much for jobs, tourism and sea turtle nesting along our beaches this year! Bad decision! But that is not the first bad decision for this new governor. Remember his refusal of $2.5 billion in federal funds for the high speed rail project? The above referenced article also indicates that even though 35 of 67 counties have used these combined monies in the past to renourish their beaches, and even though communities have requested $101 million in renourishment money this year, the governor's proposed budget for next year "includes no money for repairing any of Florida's 825 miles of sandy beaches". Doesn't that strike a serious blow to tourism in this state, let alone signing the "death warrant" for many public and private property owners - some being our own city and county? A study in 2003 by FAU, according to the article, "found that each state dollar spent protecting Florida's beaches that have public access prevents the loss of $8 in state taxes paid by out-of-state tourists and resident users of those beaches". Some things (actually many things) just don't "add up" in this governor's proposed budget, and this one (lack of beach renourishment funding) will prove to be a very damaging bad decision for this area - and for the state!
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