Congressman Jimmy Patronis, representing Florida’s First Congressional District and serving on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has identified permitting reform as the construction industry’s most pressing policy challenge. In a recent episode of the podcast Beyond the Build, Patronis discussed with host Kelvin Enfinger, Vice President at Greenhut Construction, how excessive delays in permitting are driving up soft costs and eroding project margins.
“I get very spun up when we have excessive delays that lead to excessive soft costs,” Patronis said. “Legal expenses, engineering expenses, survey expenses – because somebody is nickel-and-diming or challenging a development.” These soft costs, which include fees for lawyers, engineers, and surveyors, accumulate while projects await permits, without moving any dirt or placing any beams. Patronis specifically criticized the institutional culture within agencies like the Army Corps of Engineers, where some career staff treat permit denial as a default rather than an exception. He noted that new Corps leadership has shown interest in refocusing on the agency’s mission, but whether that shift holds is a critical question for contractors.
The political environment presents a unique window for change. With a cooperative White House, a majority in both chambers of Congress, and roughly 70 outgoing members motivated to leave on a productive note, conditions are favorable for permitting reform. Patronis emphasized that this window does not stay open indefinitely, making it imperative for the industry to push for policy changes now.
On infrastructure funding, Patronis highlighted the surface transportation authorization bill as a priority for his committee. This legislation authorizes federal spending on roads and bridges, crucial for regions like Northwest Florida, where population growth is straining corridors such as Highway 98. The U.S. Department of Transportation’s $489 million port infrastructure development program signals continued federal investment. The Warrior Road Act, championed by Patronis, addresses access to Hurlburt Field and the broader military corridor, promising significant construction volume.
Enfinger raised the issue of the national shortage of 360,000 construction workers, which could grow by another 100,000 within a year. Patronis, who started his career with a culinary arts degree, made a compelling case for skilled trades. “There is a satisfaction you get by creating something with your hands that you’re never going to get from taking a test and hopefully getting an A,” he said. “When you get that gratification – you’ve done something yourself, that’s a different type of confidence builder.” His testimony underscores the need for policy support and institutional buy-in from schools to fill the workforce pipeline.
For construction industry leaders, the implications are clear: permitting reform is not just a bureaucratic issue but a financial one, directly impacting project viability and cash flow. The current political alignment offers a rare opportunity to address these challenges, but it requires concerted advocacy. As Patronis noted, the industry must act now to capitalize on this window for change.
