This week, state Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis recognized National Truck Driver Appreciation Week and highlighted the economic contributions that truckers make in the United States.
Trucking careers serve as one out of every 18 jobs in the state of Florida, with more than 427,950 Floridians employed in the trucking industry. Florida’s truckers are vital to state commerce and ensure that Floridians receive the goods and services they need to live, start or grow a business.
“Florida’s truckers are driving our nation’s economic backbone, and even in today’s national economy inching more and more towards recession, these everyday heroes have worked hard to ensure that Americans are well fed and well supplied throughout the country. In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, and most recently Hurricane Idalia, both Florida and out-of-state truckers provided much needed hope to many Florida residents who had lost everything. All this while record high inflation and gas prices, particularly diesel, continues to negatively impact truckers’ margins,” he said.
Florida is constantly leading the nation in just about every category, and it is in no small part due to our truck drivers. Thank you to Florida’s trucking industry and all of the dedicated truckers for your hard work and dedication to the ‘Free State of Florida,’” said Patronis.
Alix Miller, the president and CEO of Florida Trucking Association, responded to the declaration.
“Our truck drivers know that in a state like Florida, their devotion to the road and keeping the lanes of commerce alive is most appreciated. Huge thanks to Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis for supporting Florida’s professional truck drivers and highlighting National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Florida remains the best place to do business in the country, and without the men and women who dedicate their lives to traveling on the road day in and day out to help Floridians keep food on the table, our great state wouldn’t be the same. I encourage all Floridians to thank a professional truck driver this week and show their appreciation for all they do to keep Florida the best place to live the American dream,” Miller said.
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