December 20, 2004 - At this marvelous time of year, we pause to remember our blessings and what's truly important in life. Faith, family, freedom, and friends like you are at the very top of our list.

December 13, 2004 - In support of the "Investment$ in Motion" plan, FBT President Doug Callaway recently wrote an essay entitled, "A Conservative Case for Transportation Investments". This piece points out that Ronald Reagan demonstrated in 1982 it's OK to be a conservative and support increasing transportation "user fees."

November 22, 2004 - On November 18th FBT President Doug Callaway made public initial details of "Investment$ in Motion - A Plan To Keep Florida Moving." Investment$ in Motion is a way to provide over $17 billion more for transportation in Florida over the next ten years -- without raising the state gas tax! As Callaway stated, "There clearly IS a transportation funding shortfall looming, and inaction is NOT an option."

November 15, 2004 - Will 2005 be "The Year" for transportation funding increases in Florida? The Center for Transportation Excellence reported that 80 percent of the transportation measures on the Nov. 2 ballot, representing about $40 billion in new spending, were passed by voters throughout the nation. The American Road & Transportation Builders Association reports that voters approved 46 of 55 measures to impose, extend or increase taxes to finance transportation improvements -- a record number.

November 8, 2004 - The High Speed Rail system approved in 2000 was rejected by Florida voters on November 2nd. The $25 billion cost apparently gave a great many Floridians serious concern. The constitutional amendment to repeal the bullet train passed with 4,322,163 votes, or 64 percent.

November 1, 2004 - Please vote on November 2nd. Need guidance on the constitutional amendments? See the "I Vote Smart Voter Guide"

October 25, 2004 - As a long-time proponent of the idea that "Facts are nice, but slogans sell beer," I've developed a reputation of being fond of quotes. In an effort to be of service, I've now compiled many of these "pearls of wisdom" into one easy-to-read list that we've immodestly entitled, "Callaway's Quotes." This compilation of curious quotations and thought-provoking sayings are now available on our FBT homepage (at the bottom on the left side), and will be updated regularly.

October 18, 2004 - FBT recently mailed to our members the "Florida 2004" guide to candidates and proposed constitutional amendments that will appear on the November 2nd ballot. This resource was produced by the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Farm Bureau, and the VoteSmartFlorida.org Coalition.

October 11, 2004 - Congress recently passed a "clean" eight-month extension of TEA-21 (Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century). This is the sixth extension since TEA-21 expired one year ago. The new extension will ensure that federal highway and transit programs continue to operate while Congress works on a long-term bill. This action will allow federal highway and transit programs to continue until May 31, 2005, and includes language that distributes $2 billion of remaining highway funding from FY 2004 and gives states an additional year to spend the money.

October 4, 2004 - At all levels of government, much is frequently made -- especially at election time -- of the "jobs creation" potential of this government expenditure or that. Well, here's a basic FACT that ought to get everyone's attention when we're talking about JOBS: 47,500 new jobs are created by every $1 billion spent on transportation. And don't forget, these are domestic American transportation jobs which, by definition, CAN'T be outsourced overseas!.

September 27, 2004 - Nationwide, transportation contributes more than $1 trillion to the economy, 10 percent of the gross domestic product. A 2003 FDOT study shows that each dollar invested in transportation yields a $5.50 benefit to Florida's economy. So, simply put, time really does equal money and when we make needed improvements to our state's transportation system, we "literally" save time and money!.

September 20, 2004 - Traffic congestion "robs us" each day of our most precious possession -- our TIME. In a survey done earlier this year, getting caught in traffic was rated the #1 most hated item… ranking higher than visiting the dentist or even shopping on the busiest day of the year. Florida has 8 of the most congested U.S. cities and, amazingly, Orlando drivers now waste more time in traffic than do New York City drivers! Once wasted sitting in traffic instead of being used with family, friends or coworkers, our time is gone forever..

September 13, 2004 - Let's be clear, improving transportation conditions in Florida would help save lives. A July 2003 report from TRIP (The Road Information Program) based in Washington, D.C., showed that Florida leads the nation in deaths for older drivers. When 18% of our population is over the age of 65, increasing safety for older drivers, younger drivers - and for every driver - must be a top priority..

September 6, 2004 - Transportation in Florida is facing a huge funding crisis. An additional $2.7 billion is needed each year just to maintain current transportation conditions! That's why we're preparing a new campaign aimed at increasing transportation funding during the 2005 Legislative session. Read more about this vitally-important issue in our new "Transportation Saves ..." one-pager.

August 30, 2004 - Florida's primary election is Tuesday, August 31. In 2002, only 29 percent of voters turned out for the primary election, so now is your chance to make a difference by voting. Clearly, every vote counts and will make a difference in this year’s close race between candidates.

August 23, 2004 - Hurricane Charley's recent arrival served to remind us all of the importance of good transportation to Florida. From the evacuation of millions as this powerful hurricane approached, to the arrival of thousands of helpers in the aftermath of Charley's devastation, transportation is playing a vital role.

August 16, 2004 - Now that the list of amendments appearing on the November ballot is known, the VoteSmartFlorida.org Alliance -- of which FBT is a member -- has created the “Vote Yes on 2” campaign. The “No Surprises” provision, listed as amendment two on the ballot, gives voters more time to learn about issues that may have significant implications for Florida citizens.

August 9, 2004 - With Congress in recess for the month of August, another extension of TEA-21 was passed on July 22nd. This extension is the fifth since TEA-21 expired September 2003 and provides states with highway funding through September 24th and transit funding through the end of the fiscal year - September 30th.

August 2, 2004 - On July 29th, an initiative that would repeal the High Speed Rail amendment to Florida's Constitution qualified for the November ballot. According to the state Division of Elections Web page, the repeal measure has 499,610 verified signatures, more than the 488,722 needed to make the ballot.

July 26, 2004 - The reviews for the 2004 FBT Leadership Retreat have been pouring in all week and its official -- this year's FBT Retreat was the best one yet! The only hard part is trying to determine which portion of the Retreat folks liked best; the program itself or the amazing Tropical Dinner Reception.

July 19, 2004 - Our FBT Leadership Retreat last week in Orlando was a complete success! Lt. Governor Toni Jennings, CFO Tom Gallagher, U.S. Senate Candidate Mel Martinez, State Senator Dan Webster and State Representative Leslie Waters all spoke to the large crowd gathered for the 2004 Retreat. National political commentator Charlie Cook both enlightened and entertained during his outstanding speech.

July 12, 2004 - Like Uncle Sam, FBT Wants YOU! ... to attend our 2004 Leadership Retreat this week in Orlando. Lt. Governor Toni Jennings, Treasurer Tom Gallagher, Secretary Mel Martinez, House Speaker Johnnie Byrd, and nationally-known political commentator Charlie Cook have ALL confirmed their participation in the retreat.

July 5, 2004 - Lt. Governor Toni Jennings has confirmed as the Keynote Speaker at our upcoming 2004 FBT Leadership Retreat. The theme of this year's retreat is "Transportation in an Election Year," and FBT is lining up an all-star cast of speakers.

June 28, 2004 - Congress agreed to yet another short-term extension of TEA-21, with funding provided through July 31st. Florida Congressman John Mica was quoted as saying that he and his donor-state colleagues would torpedo any conference report that did not meet the 95% threshold.

June 21, 2004 - Last week, FBT President Doug Callaway spoke at the 2004 National Conference for the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE) in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. He challenged the attendees to "connect" transportation to the quality of everyone's life.

June 14, 2004 - On Wednesday, June 2, Mr. C.C. "Doc" Dockery filed suit in Leon County Circuit Court against the signature gathering efforts of DErail the Bullet Train (DEBT).

June 7, 2004 - Conferees have been appointed to represent the House in the negotiations with the Senate to resolve the differences between the TEA-21 reauthorization bills.

May 31, 2004 - FBT President Doug Callaway spoke at the 2004 FICE / FDOT Consultants' Conference on "Which Road Will Florida Take?".

May 24, 2004 - A recent survey indicates that "Americans seem relatively unfazed by gas prices." Survey results are found in a recent Jacksonville Times-Union column.

May 17, 2004 - FBT President Doug Callaway thanks FBT members for working tirelessly to persuade Legislators to keep the $100 million where it belongs.

May 10, 2004 - Online Registration and Payment for the upcoming 2004 FBT Leadership Retreat are NOW AVAILABLE! The focus of this year's retreat will be "Transportation in an Election Year".

May 3, 2004 - The Florida Legislature agreed to an 8-cent suspension of Florida's gas tax for the month of August. A transfer of $58 million will be made from the General Fund to the State Transportation Trust Fund to replace the revenues lost from this suspension.

April 26, 2004 - Tangible results from the "STOP Highway Robbery" campaign - and specifically, the TRU$T Pledge effort - were seen this past week when House and Senate Budget conferees agreed NOT to divert $100 million from the Transportation Trust Fund in FY 2004-05!

April 19, 2004 - FBT issued a News Release On Tax Day, April 15th, highlighting the proposed misuse of OUR transportation TAX dollars in Tallahassee. See the FBT Headline from April 19, 2004.

April 12, 2004 - Floridians for Better Transportation (FBT) is proud to be a member of the VoteSmartFlorida.org Alliance.

April 5, 2004 - Last week was a bad one for Florida as our state suffered transportation setbacks in Tallahassee and Washington, D.C.

March 29, 2004 - The full House of Representatives will consider H.R. 3550 this week and we need YOUR HELP! Contact your Congressman and urge them to support expected floor amendments to increase the funding fairness provisions in HR 3550.

March 22, 2004 - The U.S. House may move a TEA-21 reauthorization bill this week funded at $275 billion.

March 15, 2004 - Senator Steve Wise (R – Jacksonville), a member of the Senate Transportation Committee, receives his TRU$T Plaque from FBT President Doug Callaway.