The Florida Development Finance Board has been appointed 3 new members by Gov. Rick Scott. Just in time as they have to decide by July 1st if they are going to approve the PAB Application from All Aboard Florida.
A Jacksonville connection will be involved. The Anti-AAF crowd has been amiss because until the Gov. could appoint the replacements, they didn't have anyone significant to lobby against the bonds. Well, now they do!
Per the Palm Beach Post:
Board charged with deciding All Aboard Florida funding gets three appointees
The Florida Development Finance corporation, which will decide whether All Aboard Florida gets $1.75 billion in tax exempt bonds, had three members appointed today by Gov. Rick Scott.
The Miami to Orlando express passenger rail hopes to use the bonds to supplement or replace a Federal Railroad Administration loan, which is still pending.
All Aboard Florida must issue the bonds by July 1.
The five-member FDFC appeared in disarray earlier this year after the chairman resigned and only one member reportedly remained.
The appointees are:
Daniel Davis, 42, of Jacksonville, is the president and chief executive officer of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce. He fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning March 27, 2015, and ending May 2, 2018.
Kevin Hale, 61, of Naples, is the executive vice president, director of wealth management, and chief lending officer with Mutual of Omaha Bank. He succeeds Rebecca Reynolds and is appointed for a term beginning March 27, 2015, and ending May 2, 2018.
Frank White, 36, of Pensacola, is the general counsel and business analyst for Sandy Sansing Dealerships. He fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning March 27, 2015, and endingMay 2, 2017.
The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.
Just in time!
Per Palm Beach Post:
All Aboard Florida bond hearing scheduled
A public hearing on All Aboard Florida's request for $1.75 billion in tax exempt bonds has been scheduled for April 20 in Tallahassee.
The meeting is required by the Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act when private activity bonds are being considered.
Sean Helton, spokesman for Enterprise Florida, confirmed the April 20 meeting, but further details were not provided late Tuesday.
All Aboard Florida, which plans to run 32 express passenger trains per day on the Florida East Coast Railway tracks, is hoping to use the bonds to replace or supplement a Federal Railroad Administration loan that has yet to be approved.
The board of the Florida Development Finance Corp. is tasked with approving the bonds. It met Tuesday for the first time in months after its members either resigned or had expired appointments. Gov. Rick Scott recently appointed three new members, enough for a quorum.
Although All Aboard Florida was not on the agenda, Helton said the project was discussed during public comments.