Inside AGC Advocacy Update
September/October 2007

A Conversation With Florida Senator Mel Martinez

Freshman senator discusses important legislation

SEN. MEL MARTINEZ (R-FLA.) Born: October 23, 1946 Hometown: Orlando, Fla. Family: Wife-Kitty, three children and two grandchildren Committee Appointments: Armed Services; Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs; Energy & Natural Resources; Special Aging

On Public Service

AGC: You have an inspiring personal story. How did the experience of immigrating to the United States at age 15 without your parents, or knowing any English as part of Operation Pedro Pan prepare you for your career in public service?

Martinez: When I came to the U.S., I had two wonderful families open their homes to take me in and take care of me until I was able to reunite with my parents. The experience taught me the importance of charity, of giving back to one’s community. I became a public servant because I wanted to give back to a country that had provided me with so much.

AGC: How does it influence the way you approach the issues that you deal with daily in the Senate?

Martinez: In my personal life, I have always made decisions based on what I believe will be best for my family and their well-being. As a Senator, I use similar ethical and moral values to do what is in the best interest for the people of Florida.

On Immigration Reform

AGC supports three principles to comprehensive reform: strengthening our borders, creating a new worker visa program, and providing a viable way to deal with undocumented people. Also, we want to see the creation of a workable, reliable verification system.

AGC wants to thank you, Senator Martinez, for the courageous role you played in trying to get comprehensive immigration reform through the Senate. Our country as well as the construction industry needs comprehensive reform to fix this huge problem. AGC looks forward to working with you to help find a solution.

AGC: How does the failure of Congress to act on this issue impact the hundreds of proposed state and local laws across our country?

Martinez: It leaves existing law and law enforcement structures in place, and state and local authorities will have to continue to coordinate their efforts with federal authorities in an imperfect manner. That is why comprehensive immigration reform is important. We need to update and provide greater coordination among federal, state and local authorities in preventing illegal immigration.

AGC: You were supportive of comprehensive reform for a number of reasons, for national as well as economic security. How will both be affected by the lack of comprehensive reform?

Martinez: Status quo leaves us with the inability to find out who the 12 million illegal immigrants are and whether they pose any threat to our communities or our country. Economically, it means that a major portion of our economy will remain underground. Additionally, without a workable temporary worker program, our labor supply is on unsure footing. That could be a big problem in construction and agriculture.

AGC: Those opposed to the bill have yet to offer a solution to the labor needs in our country. In your conversations, what ideas have been expressed to address this problem?

Martinez: This bill, crafted over months of discussions and negotiations, would have done a tremendous amount to secure the border, to end illegality, and ensure that we have the mechanisms needed to enforce an employment verification system. Going forward, I will do what I can, but it’s going to take a greater bipartisan effort to push this across the finish line.

On Tax Reforms

Fundamental tax reform remains a top priority because of the yearly specter of the Alternative Minimum Tax. Also, the rest of AGC’s tax priorities are set to expire in 2011, including the marginal rate reductions of 3% for individuals and corporations, and the marriage penalty. AGC’s top immediate priority is to repeal the new 3% withholding on all government contracts. We continue to support repeal of the death tax.

AGC: Would you be willing to co-sponsor (or support) the Withholding Tax Relief Act of 2007 (S-777), which would address the 3% Withholding Issue?

Martinez: The U.S. tax code is burdensome and intrusive and needs to be reformed. The AMT is unfair and not consistent with the spirit of the original legislation. As a nation, we have to stop the growth of the federal government and give Americans back more of their hard-earned money.

I believe the death tax is a fundamentally unfair tax that discourages small family businesses from saving and reinvesting their money for the future. The only way to fix the death tax is to permanently repeal it.

I am currently reviewing the Withholding Tax legislation and will continue working with my Senate colleagues to address the problems facing the tax system of the United States.

On the Highway Trust Fund

AGC is calling on the Bush administration and Congress to maintain commitments to the current transportation bill, in light of the recently released budget forecast, which shows a potential shortfall of more than $5 billion in Fiscal Year ‘09.

Because of the spending rate in the Highway Trust Fund, it will require Congress and the president to find additional revenues to plug the $5-billion plus hole or cut highway funding for FY 09 by an estimated $16 billion; a 37% reduction in spending on the nation's infrastructure. That dramatic reduction in funding would impact every state in the country.

AGC: Florida is a growing state and will need increased highway and transportation funding. How will you work to make sure that the HTF is fully funded?

Martinez: I am extremely concerned about funding via the HTF. We knew or had a pretty good idea when passing SAFETEA-LU that the trust fund might run out. This is yet another example of Washington not paying enough attention to the bottom line.

I will continue to work with my colleagues to address this shortfall. For years, Florida in particular has not received its fair share in transportation funding, and I have fought to rectify this situation. It is becoming clear that we need to examine alternative funding mechanisms to ensure that we can maintain and expand the country’s infrastructure.

On the Base Realignment and Closing Commission

Also in jeopardy is funding to implement the recommendations of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closing Commission to close or expand scores of military facilities around the country. These decisions are starting to be implemented, with huge potential consequences for local economies and their housing, roads, schools and other civilian as well as military construction projects.

AGC: What are your legislative priorities for your work on the Armed Services Committee?

Martinez: My main legislative priority is to work with the chairman and ranking member of our committee to see that the Senate passes and the president signs into law an authorization bill for funding the Department of Defense activities for the next fiscal year.

Our committee has successfully passed an authorization bill for the last 45 years, and I am committed to seeing that we are successful again this year. This year’s bill will provide the proper funding blueprint for seeing that our troops and their families are taken care of, military construction projects are authorized and vital procurement priorities are set.

Also, this year, I was very pleased that the Armed Services Committee was able to work hand in hand with the Veterans’ Affairs Committee to produce a bill that will merge the databases of the DOD and VA to ensure that our wounded soldiers are cared for and the government is held accountable.

AGC: How does the Base Realignment and Closure factor into that?

Martinez: I have worked over the past year to see that BRAC is fully funded and am optimistic that we will finally get a proper Military Construction Bill that will fund BRAC this year. This will ensure that the necessary facilities and equipment are in place.