Tough times demand we do more with less— and smartly

The massive recession now sweeping the globe is having a far-reaching impact as governments react to the financial meltdown and ensuing credit freeze. The federal response has been to allocate $700 billion for the Troubled Asset Relief Program, of which $350 billion has already been used to provide equity to the banking industry. Unfortunately, precious little has gone to help those in desperate need of financing.

Now Congress is taking an even more costly approach. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 has an estimated price tag of $825 billion. This new spending, coupled with federal obligations nearing $57 trillion, threatens to drown us in red ink. As scary as this sounds, there are opportunities for reform and recovery if we take firm action.

First, we must guarantee all local requests for money are tied to job creation that will assist in speeding the transformation of our economy from low-wage service jobs to high- wage, information-based employment opportunities. Taxpayer-funded recovery money should help Hillsborough County become the epicenter for health care, the life sciences and technology.

In 2005, Hillsborough County commissioners designated me the point person to attract new research facilities affiliated with the life sciences industry to Hillsborough. Since that time, we have successfully consummated the creation of M2GEN, which partners Moffitt and Merck into a powerful company that will develop personalized cancer treatments for people worldwide using molecular technology. Phase II of our partnership with Moffitt involves the creation of a research park that will employ hundreds and potentially treat tens of thousands of patients over its lifetime.

Draper is another one of many success stories showcasing the county's partnership with premier research laboratories in our ceaseless quest to create innovative treatments and high-paying jobs.

Hillsborough County also is working with the University of South Florida to anchor our efforts to build a research and medical facility that may one day become the largest employment center in the region.

Other essential partners include Hillsborough Community College, the University of Tampa and our 18 hospitals, including the nationally recognized James A. Haley Veteran's Hospital that is one of only four polytrauma centers in America, as well as the Tampa Bay Partnership and chambers of commerce.

Second, we must improve mobility in our county and region. Toward this end, it is critical we build a second-to-none transit system that connects our major employment and residential centers. High-speed mobility is crucial to the success of a high-wage economy and will improve our quality of life.

Hillsborough County, the city of Tampa, TBARTA, HART and the MPO are working with numerous other entities and citizen groups to construct a plan that will be presented to the voters in 2010 as part of a referendum to connect our county. We must build transit centers; light rail systems where warranted; new bus lines; improved roads and intersections; and bike paths and paved trails.

Finally, it is time to truly reinvent local government. The financial crisis gripping governments across the nation is staggering. The states face an estimated two-year budget deficit of $143 billion.

We can no longer afford the luxury of duplicative services or overlapping responsibilities. We must engage in substantive discussions with the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City. This is not the first time we have tried to streamline processes or merge services.

On Wednesday, I directed our county administrator to begin discussions with the county's Internal Performance Auditor Office and determine how we can dramatically change the way government services are provided.

Our mission must be to shrink government, do better with less, and find ways to coordinate our efforts with nonprofits and other affiliated organizations in a manner that provides uninterrupted services across jurisdictions.

Each of the above steps is challenging and controversial, and they will take time. But to do nothing or to hope that one day we can go back to the old way of doing business is folly. I am confident we can address the economic crisis with firm resolve and a focus on transforming our community.

Mark Sharpe is a Hillsborough County commissioner.