Community Budget Issue Requests - Tracking Id #13FY0001 Florida Highway Patrol---New Deputies
Requester:		Charles Hall			Organization:		Florida Highway Patrol
Project Title:		Florida Highway Patrol---New Deputies			Date Submitted:		02/09/2001 10:48:07 AM
Sponsors:		Doug Wiles
Statewide Interest:		Law Enforcement and Public Safety
Recipient:		Charles Hall			Contact:		Ken Howes
		2900 Apalachee Parkway			Contact Phone:		(850) 487-3139
		Tallahassee 32399-0500
Counties:		{Statewide}
Service Area:		Government Entity
Project Description:
This appropriation will allow the Florida Highway Patrol to hire and train 100 additional Highway Patrol Officers. For far too many years, the Florida Highway Patrol has not received the support from either the Governor or the Legislature to ensure that they are properly equipted to protect Florida's highways. Studies done by Northwestern University and approved by the Cabinet, show that Florida currently has shortage of over 500 highway patrol officers. Even though there has been a doubling or tripling of cars on the road, many areas in Florida have seen massive reductions, as much as 60-70% reduction in the number of troopers patrolling the highways. This appropriation will begin the process of rebuilding Florida's Highway Patrol and will do so in a manner that will not cause a tremendous one-time fiscal impact to the state or will it create problems for the Highway Patrol to properly recruit, train and deploy these troopers. If 100 new troopers are added each year for the next five years, Florida will once again have a strong effective patrol force. The Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has requested 108 new positions. The Governor's Budget has recommended no new positions. This appropriation would pay for 108 new positions. The appropriation takes money from the Charter School renovation program, not because I am opposed to that program, however, I do believe in tight budget years, we must be sure take care of primary government responsibilities first, which means the Highway Patrol.
Measurable Outcome Anticipated:
More troopers means safer roads and faster response times.
Amount requested from the State for this project this year:						$8,253,102
Identify item(s) in the Appropriations Bill to be reduced:
Specific Appropriation #:			95 A
Specific Appropriation Title:			Charter Schools Facilities and Equipment
Amount to be reduced:			$8,253,102
Fund Source:			General Revenue
Total cost of the project:			$8,253,102
Request has been made to fund:				Operations
Type of funding match:		None
Was this project previously funded by the State?							Unknown
Is future-year funding likely to be requested?							Yes
	Amount:		$8,253,102
	Purpose for future year funding:					Recurring Operations
	Will this be an annual request?						Yes
Was this project included in an Agency's Budget Request?							Yes
	Agency:		Highway Safety And Motor Vehicles, Department Of
Was this project included in the Governor's Recommended Budget?							Yes
Is there a documented need for this project?							Yes
	Documentation:		Center for Public Safety, Northwestern University Study.
Was this project request heard before a publicly noticed meeting of a body of elected officials (municipal, county, or state)?							Yes
	Hearing Body:		St. Johns County Commission
	Meeting Date:		12/21/1999