TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (Nov. 20, 2014) – The set of projects proposed by Gov. Rick Scott under the federal RESTORE Act should be commended as a sensible approach to the budget and proposal process, the R Street Institute said today.

The $77 million in RESTORE Act funds requested by the governor would go toward five proposals that make up multiple projects to improve five different Florida watersheds affected by the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

“The proposals submitted by Gov. Scott to the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council are exactly the kinds of projects the RESTORE Act was designed to fund,” said R Street Florida Director Christian Cámara.

Cámara added that the proposals include commonsense infrastructure improvements, environmental restoration and pollution-reducing efforts to stimulate the state’s vital fishing, oyster harvesting and ecotourism industries, but importantly, would not create ongoing liabilities for taxpayers or expand the size of government.

“These projects should serve as examples to Florida’s Gulf Coast counties and other Gulf states as they consider how best to invest their portions of RESTORE Act funds,” Cámara said.

Once the council receives all proposals, they will review and create a draft Funded Priorities List, which will be available in mid-2015 for public comment.

“Florida’s economy is deeply interconnected with its coastal environment, which makes it possible to make wise investments that benefit both,” said Cámara.

Featured Publications