LAKELAND, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference Wednesday morning at Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland, where he signed HB 1301, “Department of Transportation.”
The 39-page omnibus bill will enact sweeping policy changes within the Florida Department of Transportation, such as that the head of FDOT will now be appointed by the governor instead of nominated by those within the department, that FDOT must prioritize the efficient movement of people and goods when planning and developing the state’s multimodal transportation system and that public transit providers will be banned from expending department funds for wrapping vehicles with anything besides the brand or logo of said provider or the official seal of a governmental entity.
Recommended Videos
“It codifies, ‘What is the goal of our transportation system?’ Here, it’s to reduce congestion, support supply chain, promote quality of life and to make sure that your money is spent wisely and efficiently,” DeSantis said, claiming the bill is a foil to federal priorities under President Joe Biden. “They really view the transportation department and these projects as a tool for them to advance ideology and that just does not work. You know, they’ve talked about roads being racist, I don’t know how they get that but they say that, they talk about things like this, that’s not what this is about and of course they do have an agenda to not have people in their cars.”
According to DeSantis’ office, the bill provides the remaining funding for FDOT’s Moving Florida Forward projects, such as one along a section of I-4 in Polk, Osceola and Orange counties — between U.S. 27 in Polk and State Road 536 in Orange — where exit improvements, 14 miles of new express lanes and a connection to Poinciana Boulevard are planned.
[EXCLUSIVE: Become a News 6 Insider (it’s FREE) | PINIT! Share your photos]
HB 1301 goes into effect July 1.
Read the bill below:
Watch the news conference again in the media player below:
Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: