Crist, Atwater: Vote on SunRail in December

[thelakelander]

Look who has come back from the grave for a third time!  Faced with the prospect of losing out on HSR money, Florida plans to take another look at supporting Sunrail and funding Tri-Rail.  This is significant to Jax because rail plans in North Florida may be able to piggyback off of both of these deals.

By William E. Gibson and Josh Hafenbrack

WASHINGTON -- Gov. Charlie Crist and Senate President Jeff Atwater today called for a special legislative session this year to fund Tri-Rail and SunRail to clear a path for federal high-speed railroad dollars.
Atwater, a Republican from North Palm Beach, said Florida doesn’t have a chance of getting the $2.5 billion it needs for high-speed rail projects until it shows a commitment to fund two commuter railroads: Tri-Rail in South Florida and SunRail in Central Florida.

Speaking to reporters in Tallahassee, Crist endorsed the special session, likely slated for early December, making it a strong possibility. The governor also said he'd like to see his Seminole gambling pact added to the December agenda, although lawmakers might be reluctant to go along with that.

"I think that's a great idea," Crist said of a special session. "I would certainly encourage that, and I think it's the right thing for Florida. It can also help us with this bullet-train issue, too. We need transportation arteries for Florida. We are the fourth-largest state in the country, almost 20 million people. And it strikes me, you're on I-4 or I-75 or 95, the more transportation arteries we have for our fellow Floridians, the better it's going to be. Plus, it will provide additional jobs. We got the new numbers last week: almost 11 percent unemployment. We've got to do whatever we can to help those people."

Atwater and two fellow state senators said they are determined to fund the regional railroads after meeting in Washington with federal transportation and railroad officials and with Florida U.S. Senators Bill Nelson and George LeMieux.

The state seeks a piece of the $8 billion designated for high-speed rail projects around the country that were included in the economic-recovery bill passed by Congress this year.
“It’s a stimulus construction project that can put people to work,” Nelson said.

The first leg of an elevated high-speed train would connect Tampa and Orlando in the median of I-4. State officials hope to eventually connect Orlando with Miami with trains that move at 110 miles per hour.
Federal officials told the visitors that they could not compete for the high-speed dollars unless the Legislature fully committed to paying for the commuter projects now and in the future. The idea is to connect high-speed trains with commuter trains.
“It can’t be just throwing money at it,” Atwater said. “It has to be a commitment of dollars that they could see was on a going-forward basis.”

Tri-Rail has long sought a steady source of state funding to help lure federal dollars.
Atwater said the Legislature has shown renewed interest in a proposal to add a $2 surcharge on car rentals to pay for commuter rail. The proposal was complicated by attempts to allow SunRail to operate on CSX railroad tracks in the Orlando area. The state Senate balked at the risk of sparing the freight-carrier from legal liability, which would put state taxpayers on the hook for potential lawsuits.

Atwater said he is confident legislators can resolve these matters in a special session. He was joined by Senate Democratic Leader Al Lawson of Tallahassee and Senate budget chief J.D. Alexander, R-Winter Haven.
“Shame on us if we give up an opportunity to get $2.5 billion dollars and transform the way we get around Florida and the way we do business in Florida,” LeMieux said.

In Tallahassee, Crist said he'd like lawmakers to use the special session as a chance to vote on his Seminole gambling compact, which would give the tribe blackjack at its seven casinos in exchange for $150 million a year. Lawmakers, however, have criticized the governor's deal, which prohibits Florida pari-mutuel businesses from expanding into casino gambling games.
"I think having those additional monies for education for our children is awfully important, that's why I supported it," he said.

http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/news_politics/2009/10/crist-atwater-vote-on-sunrail-in-december.html

[tufsu1]

I can't wait to see what Paula Dockery does now!

[thelakelander]

Yes.  Doc's baby and life long dream is now on the line.

[CS Foltz]

Well nice to see that Charlie is coming on line............makes me wonder why and whats in it for him, other than the PR when he tries to run for Senate! Doc has allways had that vision and I agree "State Wide" not just something that Disney uses to funnel visitors to Mouseville!

[JeffreyS]

Money talks and that $2 fee needs to go to all the passenger rail in the state including the skyway right here.

[thelakelander]

It should, but can't imagine it happening if no local representatives make a case or fight for it.  My guess, is it isn't even on the radar in Jax.

[CS Foltz]

lake...........I am not sure that those in the current Administration here can even spell "Radar" much less look far enough ahead to what could be.

[tufsu1]

It has nothing to do w/ LOCAL officials and their radar....south Florida folks have been trying to get the $2 fee (which will support Tri-Rail, not local transit services) for several years and continue to get blocked by the STATE legislature....now I would expect that if they get it for Tri-Rail, it will open up the funding discussion for other commuter rail systems around the state as they develop.

[CS Foltz]

Gee Big Guy...........I guess Marco just is not on the ball......he pushed for that stupid Admendment One garbage.....so I guess he just was not interested in something as mundane as possible rail!

[tufsu1]

correct...Mr. Rubio is the ultimate conservative....so you can count on him to vote no on a tax increase of any kind

[CS Foltz]

tufsu1 .....I have no problem with Marco voting "No" being the conservative that he is but did he ever ask the people he is supposed to represent just what they thought? I know that the majority of people in his world really wanted Amendment One (which has proved to be a waste just like the Lottery turned out for Education) but any Representative is supposed to represent the wishes of their constituents not the representative thoughts or wishes............public good is supposed to be foremost and most of the times it is not even close!

[JaxBorn1962]

Is it just me or do a lot of us in Florida wish crist would just fade away.

[CS Foltz]

I did not vote for him then and will not vote for him if he tries to run for the Senate! We have enough of the GOB Network in place in Washingtion...........they don't need any more help!