Fla. Gov. wants spending boost for roads and ports

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - Florida Gov. Rick Scott wants more money spent on roads, ports and transportation.

Scott will announce Monday that he wants state legislators to set aside $8.8 billion for the Department of Transportation budget in the coming year.

The current state budget has $8.6 billion for the agency responsible for maintaining highways, bridges and state roads. The DOT budget is financed largely by gas taxes and federal grants, and the amount spent usually depends on how much money is available.

Part of Scott’s budget request will include nearly $139 million for improvements to Florida’s seaports.

Scott is spending January highlighting parts of his annual budget request to the Florida Legislature. Lawmakers will consider the governor’s request during the annual legislative session that starts in March.