Topic: Seaports

A $1.2 billion surplus enabled lawmakers to boost spending in several areas including transportation projects boost in funding. Also, the Senate confirmed the head of the Department of Economic Opportunity and lawmakers nixed a requirement that jobless benefit seekers must take a skills test . Read more . . .

Lawmakers will consider proposals to repeal red light cameras, increase incentives for TV and film projects and give taxpayer money to sports franchises for stadium improvements. Gov.Scott wants more money for Visit Florida and transportation projects.

The Florida Chamber of Commerce, having seen most of its agenda passed in recent years, will chase after bills that have stumbled in past legislative sessions.

Florida's Agriculture Commissioner touted the benefits of increased trade with Panama but also warned of the downside of the freer movement of goods and services -- increased competition that could eat into Miami's international finance sector.

The business lobby is keen to pass provisions to increase state funding for strategic airport projects, but legislative hurdles remain.

The governor requests that lawmakers approve record transportation spending, which he contends will help spur trade and jobs in the state.

For Florida to diversify its economy in the long term, it will have to rely on a traditional sector -- tourism -- to produce the revenue necessary to fund investments in infrastructure to move the state toward becoming an international trading hub. ... Related Research: Trade and Logistics 2.0 report from the Florida Chamber of Commerce.

The Governor's office announced Monday that four ports and shipping facilities are going to get $5 million in grants from the Florida DOT. ... Related Research: Governor's office news releases about the projects.

The proposed state grant would pay for 75 percent of the improvements to the nearby AN Railway. Deals with potential tenants in the port hoping to ship goods and invest in the area hinge on the funding for rail improvements and the dredging of the Panhandle port. ... Related Research: Port St. Joe Port Authority 2013 Master Plan, a letter and press releases.

The trip to the South American country that was Florida's sixth-largest trading partner last year will be Gov. Rick Scott's eighth overseas journey since taking office.

Some House Democrats dropped their budget protest over Medicaid expansion, and Gov. Rick Scott got his top two priorities of a teacher pay raise and manufacturing tax cut.

Gov. Rick Scott is prepared to push for more port funding and an increased overall transportation budget, lawmakers will try again for texting bans and red light camera repeals, and a Central Florida turf battle over an expressway authority is brewing.

Gov. Rick Scott proposed an 11.22 percent increase in the transportation budget, which would bring overall spending to $9.1 billion. ... Related Research: Gov. Rick Scott's transportation budget recommendations for FY 2013-14.

Economists project a surplus for the first time in three years, but economic uncertainty at the federal level has lawmakers taking a cautious approach to the state budget, despite pleas for increased funding from all sides. ... Related Research: Dec. 14, 2012 General Revenue Outlook Statement from the Office of Economic & Demographic Research.