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SAMPLE LETTER OF SUPPORT (as of 3/4/13) - SENATE VERSION MONTH DAY 2013 Honorable Senator Jeff Brandes, Chair Senate Transportation Committee 404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 3 23 99-1100 Dear Senator Brandes: On behalf of the (MUNICIPALITY/COUNTY/ORGANIZATION), I would like to express our support of SB 756 by Senator Denise Grimsley, requiring the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to adopt rules governing use of the department's unused capacity in the communication networks for non-transportation purpose, in accordance with U.S.C. Title 23, Section 1.23 (c) and the most recently policy guidelines released by the FHA. Broadband networks are an essential resource for public sector organizations and programs and provide critical support for public safety, government operations and education. The United States lags far behind most first world countries in broadband network deployment. This is an important statewide issue given the vast inventory of ITS fiber networks installed in cities and counties throughout Florida. Access to unused capacity, on a statewide level, represents a dramatic opportunity to fully utilize critical infrastructure (already paid for by primarily federal dollars) at great taxpayer relief, while at the same time presenting an opportunity for FDOT to potentially gain access to local fiber optic networks, increasing efficiency. Shared uses of government networks will foster innovation, enabling public entities to do their work more effectively for the benefit of the community as a whole while reducing telecommunication costs. We join other local governments in supporting this legislation and the millions it will save the taxpayers of the State of Florida and our residents. We respectfully request that you place this item on the agenda of the Transportation Committee and support this legislation. Sincerely, Mayor/Chair of Municipality/County 263