Leadership won the day in Tallahassee with Tuesday's passage of the rail funding bill. That leadership will keep Florida in the running for $2.5 billion in federal stimulus money for a high-speed rail project and create new jobs.

 

Gov. Charlie Crist, Senate President Jeff Atwater and House Speaker Larry Cretul traversed a field full of landmines to accomplish three things: provide up to $15 million in extra annual funding for Tri-Rail, jump-start the SunRail commuter rail in the Orlando area by buying 61 miles of track from CSX and show federal transportation officials that Florida is committed to rail in its future mass transit.

 

Washington got in on the act, too, with Florida Sen. Bill Nelson's announcement Wednesday that Congress had agreed to spend $40 million on the SunRail project, $4 million for expansion of Metrorail in Miami and $1.7 million toward a light-rail system in Tampa. Early next year, the feds will announce which states will get the federal stimulus grants for rail projects. Florida is seeking $2.5 billion to build a high-speed rail line from Tampa to Orlando and begin environmental work to extend it to Miami.

 

Deals were struck, of course, to get the rail bill passed. Senate Democrats were brought on board when the governor agreed to protect the jobs of eight unionized railroad workers in Orlando. More important, a state agreement with CSX that makes state taxpayers liable for the railroad employees' negligence on the SunRail line was modified in the state's favor.

 

Thanks to focused leadership and wise compromises, Tri-Rail will keep running more trains during rush hours. SunRail will double the state's commuter rail lines. And the bullet train's chances are looking very good.

The Florida Legislature, with the support of most Tampa Bay area lawmakers, has made it possible for the state to build a modern rail transit system. Good job.

 

The vote statewide was one-sided because the need to move ahead was so obvious and strongly endorsed by business and civic leaders around the state.

 

The issue came down to jobs, as Republican Sen. Victor Crist, who represents parts of Hillsborough and Pasco counties, explained. When we talked to Crist before the special session, he said he was keeping an open mind, but he seemed to be leaning against voting for the rail bill. He emphasized the budget problems the state is sure to face next year and wondered if taxpayers could afford to start expensive new rail projects.

 

After listening to the debate, he decided that transportation improvements are the best hope for attracting good, new jobs. So he joined the majority in voting yes.

 

It was the right decision. Consider the one-year forecast for Florida by USA Today, citing data from Moody's Economy.com. Florida's job growth is predicted to be negative 2 percent, four times worse than the national average. Construction jobs are expected to fall 21.3 percent.

 

The status quo has become intolerable.

 

Critics say there's no guarantee the jobs will come even if rail corridors are built for commuters, business travelers and tourists. But who could possibly guarantee that companies will relocate here? What's important is the evidence that shows useful rail lines do attract private investment. To ignore that reality is to relegate the state to second-tier status.

 

There's also no guarantee federal transit money will flow to Florida. But it is a sure bet that without a state and local commitment, Florida won't get its share.

 

Rail is obviously not Florida's only priority. Most gasoline taxes will continue to be used for highways, and the share of documentary stamp revenue that will support a new statewide rail agency should not cut into funds needed for environmental land preservation.

 

All this legislation does is to put Florida in the game. No one can promise that it will continue to make the right choices and field a winning team. Much work and many hard decisions remain ahead for the Legislature, the rail authority, regional authorities, local boards and voters.

 

But despite the current economic uncertainty, the odds that Florida will build itself a more prosperous future improved significantly this week. That's something to cheer about.

State lawmakers who rallied in support of a controversial rail bill Tuesday in special session deserve credit for overcoming hurdles — including union opposition — that threatened to block the historic measure and the enormous benefits it heralds for Florida’s stalled economy.

 

Foremost among them are jobs.

 

The legislation paves the way for a $1.2 billion commuter SunRail system linking four heavily populated counties in Central Florida, which will create an estimated 6,700 construction jobs.

 

It shores up South Florida’s Tri-Rail commuter rail system in Miami-Dade County and creates a transportation department authority to oversee funding of future rail projects.

 

Those moves send the message to Washington the state is strongly committed to commuter rail and make it almost certain Florida will land a $2.6 billion federal stimulus grant for a long-discussed high-speed rail system linking Tampa, Orlando and Miami.

 

The massive project is another badly needed job generator, adding as many as 23,000 more construction jobs starting in 2011, some potentially in Brevard County if the Orlando-Miami high-speed route is built in 2013.

 

The bullet-train system will also spur tourism and help launch an era of greener transportation in the Sunshine State.

 

Kudos to Brevard’s GOP delegation, which voted unanimously for the rail deal and a better future for Floridians.

Anyone setting odds on Florida's chances next month to get as much as $2.6 billion in federal stimulus money to build a Tampa-to-Orlando high-speed rail line might consider this:

When the Florida Senate on Tuesday joined the Florida House in passing a sweeping passenger rail bill, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, were enjoying a private chat in Washington, their fourth in recent days.

The bill creates a much broader opportunity for state prospects than might be obvious, said Mica, an influential transportation advocate on Capitol Hill.

In addition to enhancing prospects for a Tampa-to-Orlando high-speed rail route by 2014 that could create some 15,000 construction jobs, the bill could improve chances for local light rail that would connect with the high-speed service, Mica and other local officials said Wednesday.

"This is the finest blueprint for transportation ever passed in Florida," Mica said in a phone interview from Washington. "It can serve as a model for around the country."

LaHood in October said Florida support for commuter projects in Orlando and South Florida could weigh in the competition among 24 states for high speed rail stimulus funds, as it would show a commitment to rail Florida previously lacked.

Mica said LaHood, also a Republican, teased him Tuesday, asking what he could do to help.

"All I need is a vote from the Florida Legislature," Mica responded. And that he got.

Mica expressed confidence in Florida's chances for high-speed rail funding, although he said he wouldn't be surprised if winning states don't get all they sought.

The Legislature's bill supports commuter rail lines in Orlando and South Florida, creates a state rail agency and resolves commuter rail liability issues with freight carrier CSX.

Bob Clifford, executive director for the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority, said momentum is being created because the state has finally taken the transportation issue beyond just talking about a plan to actually being able to implement one.

"From a statewide perspective, it means being able to put dollars behind it," he said.

The bill, which Gov. Charlie Crist supports, will send a strong message to the federal government that Florida has a vision for rail and is building a statewide system, said Stuart Rogel, president and chief executive of the Tampa Bay Partnership, which oversees economic development for a seven-county area.

"As we move ahead and voters are asked to decide how to invest their resources, we will already be seeing the benefits of federal investments," he said.

The bill did not pass without criticism from legislators, who argued that CSX was getting paid too much for the 61-mile Central Florida line that could begin in 2012.

In addition, critics contend the bill conceded too much to CSX on liability issues, which primarily will be assumed by the state for CSX-related accidents

However, Ed Turanchik, a former Hillsborough County commissioner who heads the ConnectUS lobbying group for Florida's high-speed rail proposal, said the deal will create a framework for TBARTA light-rail plans that could rely on little used freight tracks.

The bill, he said, "sets the rules."

Sen. Victor Crist, R-Tampa, said he thinks taking "an assertive step forward towards moving state policy in the direction of mass transit," is good for the Tampa Bay region.

Crist said he doesn't know if local transit projects are going to zoom ahead now, as some people hope, however, because state revenue is expected to continue shrinking over the next few years as federal stimulus dollars dry up.

"Next year ... there will be no stimulus money ... the state will have to fund only its core missions, and transfer all of the remaining shortfall to the local governments," he said.

However, the legislative approval signals an interest in transit and rail and shows a desire to be competitive for federal funds, said Steve Polzin, director of mobility policy for the University of South Florida's Center for Urban Transportation Research.

"High-speed rail will similarly send a strong, symbolic message of a growing interest in alternative transportation options and in that way will be complementary to local initiatives."

Late Tuesday night, after the Legislature passed its bill, congressional budget negotiators agreed to spend $40 million to jump-start the SunRail project in Orlando, with $26 million previously approved. Ultimately, Congress is expected to approve $178 million for SunRail, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., said.

An additional $1.7 million will go toward planning light rail in Tampa along with $4 million to expand Metrorail, which serves Miami, Nelson said.

"Talk about back-to-back great news for Floridians who are tired of traffic jams - this is it," Nelson said about the federal money and the state bill. "The miracle of miracles has happened."

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson’s office said Wednesday that congressional budget negotiators late last night agreed to spend $40 million to help jumpstart a rail system that will serve commuters in Central Florida.

 

The $40 million is for preliminary engineering and final design of the SunRail commuter system around Orlando, as well as construction of its stations.

 

The Florida Department of Transportation is proposing to construct the new commuter rail system along an existing CSX corridor from Volusia through Lake and Seminole counties to Orange County and downtown Orlando.

 

In addition, there’s a smaller amount for planning for light rail in Tampa, $1.7 million; and $4 million for expansion of Metrorail in Miami.

 

A release issued Nelson said the expenditures — approved by budget negotiators for the House and Senate — come hard on the heels of the Florida Legislature’s passage of a major rail bill yesterday.

 

The Florida Senate, following state House approval, wrapped up a special session on Tuesday with passage of train legislation designed to support the Central Florida rail project, bail out South Florida’s Tri-Rail and compete for billions of dollars in federal funding for high-speed rail in the state.

 

The $40 million expenditure for Central Florida is contained in a broader federal transportation, housing and military construction spending bill.

 

All that remains is for the House and Senate to give formal approval to the measure. President Barack Obama, who originally requested the funding for SunRail in his budget, is expected to sign the bill.

Here's a look at who came out ahead — for now — and who didn't when SunRail cleared the Legislature on Tuesday:

Winners

The unemployed: SunRail proponents maintain that up to 6,700 construction jobs could be created by the $1.2billion project, with the work lasting five years and likely starting next year. That could be a big deal in Central Florida, where the unemployment rate tops 11percent. There also could be related jobs opportunities in the stores, shops and businesses expected to spring up around the 17 stations along the 61.5-mile system stretching from DeLand in Volusia County through downtown Orlando to Poinciana in Osceola County.

All together, SunRail advocates contend the system will create 260,000-plus jobs during the next 30years, with a fiscal impact of $8.8billion.

Motorists: Drivers on Interstate4 might see some relief from SunRail, though not much, considering it is the most heavily traveled road in Central Florida, with more than 200,000 motorists daily.

SunRail is expected to attract 4,300 passengers a day when it starts up. That might seem small, especially compared with I-4. But backers say that number is purposely conservative and they contend it will be higher, once people start using it to shop at the stores on Park Avenue in Winter Park or to get to work or visit patients at Florida Hospital or Orlando Health, both of which have stops.

Mass transit: Besides qualifying the state for potential high-speed money, the bill creates a new rail authority that could spur efforts to create train systems all over the state.

Developers: One reason county and city officials pushed for SunRail so much was because they want to encourage more density in the urban core and discourage the sprawl that has marked much of the new development in recent decades. There should be plenty of opportunities for builders to put up apartments, shops, restaurants and offices near the stations.

Tri-Rail: The bill that approved SunRail also set aside money to keep the Tri-Rail line in South Florida from going out of business. As many as 15,000 daily riders won't have to go back to their cars or figure out another way to get to and from work. And if Tri-Rail went broke, the state likely would have been forced to pay back $256million borrowed from the federal government to expand the system.

Losers

Tea Party: The anti-tax group lobbied hard against SunRail, arguing the project was too expensive and would become a long-standing boondoggle to taxpayers. A dozen or so Tea Party members gathered at the Capitol to protest the bill that created SunRail, but their efforts went for naught.

Politicians: The chief opponent, Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, is running for governor. She called in all her favors but in the end could muster only 10 votes in the 40-member chamber during the special session. Democratic Orlando Sen. Gary Siplin, who's in his last term, also was against SunRail, just as he was during a previous session. He contended money that will be spent on the train should go for education. His stand will not endear him to the rest of the Central Florida delegation, which went with SunRail but for one other notable exception: Republican Sen. Carey Baker of Eustis also cast a no vote, reversing his earlier support.

East-side, west-side Orlandoans: Because commuter rail will run north and south along I-4, it won't be a viable option for most residents of the region's burgeoning east and west sides. And it could be years, if ever, before light-rail systems are built to serve those areas.

In limbo

The union: It's not clear yet whether the AFL-CIO won or lost in this fight. Its leaders fought the train, saying the state was using it as a way to bust the union and fire 200 or more rail workers in the state. According to a document released Tuesday, the only sure thing the AFL-CIO got was a promise from lawmakers that eight signalmen jobs on the SunRail line would be union workers. But they also got a promise by executives at South Florida's Tri-Rail system that before they take over maintenance and dispatch of the 72-mile system from CSX, they will "reach out" to union officials about the roughly 109 union members who now hold those jobs. The union opposition was critical in keeping many South Florida Democrats from backing SunRail during the previous two sessions.

Bravo! At last, Florida's about to become a passenger-rail leader, thanks to lawmakers' approval of visionary legislation Tuesday.

It will create jobs, help thousands get to work faster and benefit the environment.

Timing, tenacity and, yes, vision made it happen.

Beginning in 2012, SunRail will begin serving Central Floridians from DeBary to Orlando, later extending north to DeLand and south to Poinciana. A new state rail commission also will help pay for South Florida's Tri-Rail system, and possibly bring commuter-rail service to Tampa and Jacksonville.

The state's newfound commitment to rail also makes Florida a credible contender for attracting federal money for high-speed trains to someday connect Orlando to Tampa, and later to Miami.

Whew. So many wins in one bill.

All by itself, SunRail promises to create thousands of jobs and generate billions in spending for Florida's economy. That wasn't enough for lawmakers to pass it in either of two earlier legislative sessions. Some either bowed to special interests or showed themselves incapable of embracing anything so consequential. To their lasting shame, count Orlando's Gary Siplin, Lakeland's Paula Dockery and Eustis' Carey Baker in that column.

The timing of SunRail's third go-round in the Legislature proved fortuitous, however. The promise of jobs amid 11-percent unemployment made it harder than ever for some opponents to stand in its way. So did federal officials declaring that by January they'll award billions for high-speed systems to states that showed a commitment to commuter rail. U.S. Reps. John Mica -- SunRail's spiritual leader – and Corrine Brown brought U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to Florida to emphasize the point. Fledgling U.S. Sen. George LeMieux touted it, too.

Senate President Jeff Atwater commandeered a redrafted bill that reached beyond SunRail to include more funding for Tri-Rail and possible commuter systems for Tampa and Jacksonville, and for high-speed rail. It included the creation of the state commission pushed by Orlando Sen. Andy Gardiner that would help steer and fund the operations.

But the tenacity of rail's longtime supporters also helped win over the Legislature. House Speaker-designate Dean Cannon, who was busy pushing offshore drilling last spring, found his rail focus and not only got his members to again overwhelmingly pass it but helped get Speaker Larry Cretul to publicly embrace and work for it.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, who earlier in the year helped get trial lawyers to abandon their opposition to SunRail, kept pressing Senate Democrats to listen less to labor leaders howling over a few lost union jobs and more to experts about how rail would produce thousands more jobs, some of which unions could snare.

Mr. Mica and Ms. Brown joined that chorus and helped get transportation unions outside Florida to buy in. Big Labor in Florida finally gave in and several Democrats hopped aboard the rail legislation.

They and others also came around because Washington is expected to pick up more of SunRail's cost.

Persistence from others kept the effort alive in Tallahassee. Former Orange County Commissioner Lee Chira, who headed the state's long-dormant high-speed rail authority, kept pressuring Tallahassee to apply for federal funding for fast trains. And Sen. Lee Constantine of Altamonte Springs helped engineer all three of SunRail's trips through the capital.

Now more trains will get rolling -- thanks, at long last, to leaders who finally saw what rail can do for Florida.

This week, legislators are in Tallahassee working to finalize a commuter-rail deal in a special session. Although many obstacles remain toward accomplishing this long-awaited goal, opposition by those who are supposed to favor job creation should not be one of them.

 

Unfortunately, our brothers and sisters in some of Florida's largest labor unions are threatening to derail a commuter-rail pact, which could mean tens of thousands of jobs for skilled workers throughout our state.

 

Those of us who are on the front lines of Florida's unemployment crisis have a hard time understanding why a few union officials would want to play politics with a plan that could mean good jobs and good wages for thousands of their members.

 

We're union proud, but we're also common-sense smart.

 

The Florida Carpenters Regional Council is comprised of 5,200 active and 5,000 retired members, and, simply put, we're not your father's labor union. We're an entrepreneurial and competitive organization that believes that the best way we can help our members is by empowering them with the job skills they'll need to compete in Florida's diverse and dynamic employment marketplace.

 

This is why we plan on breaking with other organized labor groups in Florida by endorsing passenger-rail legislation in Tallahassee.

 

The proposed legislation could provide an immediate boost of more than 11,000 Florida jobs. Most of these would be skilled jobs for people in the fields of carpentry, construction, plumbing, electrical and general-contractor work — the very people who have been hit hardest by Florida's housing-economy bust.

 

This legislation is also part of an overall transportation strategy for Florida's future, which aims to draw down federal dollars to build new networks of rail and high-speed rail connecting Florida's major metropolitan areas. Just as Florida's turnpike system revolutionized transportation for Floridians and became a model to the rest of the nation, commuter rail could be the springboard to a new Florida rail network that changes the way Floridians travel.

 

In addition, we see an opportunity to do what we do best — recruit and train new workers and leave behind a skilled workforce that can find new jobs once the final stretch of track has been laid.

 

Through our Council Training Trust Fund, which boasts an annual operating budget of $3 million in direct training costs, we hope to offer the eventual workforce the same opportunities we provide our members in terms of job training and placement.

 

Beyond just a smart transportation policy for Florida, this is a great opportunity to create jobs now and workforce training for the future.

 

It's time to put politics aside, and for those who truly care about strengthening employment opportunities for Florida's skilled workforce to get on board.

 

In the next day or two, state senators will vote to make it easier for Floridians to travel, approving legislation that creates SunRail, sustains Tri-Rail and makes possible high-speed rail and commuter service for Tampa and Jacksonville.

In doing so they'll also be creating thousands of jobs and pouring billions of dollars into the state's economy over several decades.

Or, the senators will vote to do nothing of the kind because, in the end, too many of them will have been too afraid.

Afraid to lead.

To take on an increasingly shrill opponent.

To stand up to special interests.

And even to take on the all-powerful lieutenant governor of the state, Jeff Kottkamp. Who? Read on.

On Monday, the state House overwhelmingly voted to pass the rail legislation, following the lead of House Speaker Larry Cretul and speaker designate Dean Cannon. But in the Senate, the bill either is expected to pass or crash by an onion-thin margin.

Senate President Jeff Atwater's doing his part, apparently picking up another vote for the rail package Monday from Sen. Mike Bennett of Bradenton. Mr. Bennett said he likes some changes to the bill that he and a majority of senators in the spring voted down. The risk to the state in case of accidents has been reduced, making the bill look better, he said.

But where's the leadership from Mike Haridopolos, the next Senate president from Indialantic? He says he supports SunRail, but soft- selling train travel in Florida's not a winning strategy. Even Gov. Charlie Crist understands that. He's replaced his timid "how can anyone not like SunRail?" refrain from last spring with his any-vote-against-rail-is-"indefensible" riff.

But why isn't Mr. Haridopolos similarly banging the drum on rail, leaving it instead to a shrill senator like Republican Paula Dockery of Lakeland to try and steal the show? She appeared at an anti-rail rally yesterday in Tallahassee with anti-tax activist Doug Guetzloe, where she again stretched credulity. Is the arch-conservative Mr. Haridopolos just afraid of attracting the ire of tea-partiers?

Ms. Dockery said "nobody's going to ride" SunRail, though it will run through her Senate district. We'll be eager to hear her reprise that refrain when, during her campaign for governor, she calls the more than 4,000 passenger expected to ride SunRail in its first year "nobodies."

She said SunRail places the state at too much risk in case of accidents. But Ms. Dockery voted years earlier for Tri-Rail and its provisions that place the state at greater risk than SunRail.

Meanwhile, Republican Sen. Carey Baker of Eustis could be at risk of scuttling his political future – he wants to be state agriculture commissioner – if he doesn't better appreciate that some services cost money. He seemed to grasp that when he previously supported SunRail. But recently he said he wanted off the train because – shock – the high-speed rail project could someday cost Floridians money to operate.

Mr. Baker, all mass transit costs the public some money, though the state could get billions of federal dollars to build high-speed rail. You think you'll win higher office supporting just road-building? Tell that to Floridians who can't afford to buy, maintain and operate a car.

Rail's future in Florida also may come down to whether others running for statewide office tell union leaders where they can get off, or whether they'll let them continue to take Florida's residents for a ride. Some unions oppose the legislation because it doesn't guarantee in writing a hundred or so union jobs, though it doesn't preclude them from getting some of the thousands of jobs the rail bill would create.

South Florida Senate Democrats Dan Gelber and Dave Aronberg say they might support the rail bill, but they also want the union's support in their respective runs for state attorney general. The unions won't help either get elected, however, if they vote against rail. If they help defeat the rail bill, Tri-Rail could go belly-up, and with it, commuter train service for thousands of their South Florida constituents.

And does either really think he needs the unions to win the general election? The winner of their primary could face early Republican favorite Jeff Kottkamp, the lieutenant governor best known for flying around the state on the public's dime.

If they neither can compete seriously with Mr. Kottkamp without the unions' help, neither can be taken seriously as a candidate for statewide office.

The aversion of at least some Republican leaders to federal stimulus spending has eased as the state's jobless rate climbs.

 

Legislative leaders are trying to pass a rail transit bill aimed at making the state competitive for $2.6 billion in federal stimulus money to build a bullet train that could link Tampa, Orlando and Miami by 2017.

 

Good. With Florida's unemployment topping 11 percent, and the rail money going to someone else if we don't get it, sitting on our hands is not a good option.

 

High-speed rail is the kind of thing the stimulus money was supposed to be spent on, capital projects, instead of propping up operations to duck needed spending cuts and revenue increases.

 

Our own attitude has changed toward bullet trains.

 

The high-speed rail amendment that voters passed in 2000 (and repealed in 2004) was a boondoggle looking for a place to happen. The boondoggle risk has not disappeared, but it is outweighed by the chance to create thousands of sorely needed jobs-42,000, says the state transportation department.

 

The legislation, passed Monday by the House, would create SunRail, a Central Florida commuter rail system that has died twice before in the Senate; and prop up the troubled Tri-Rail urban commuter system in Southeast Florida. This would create or save another 14,000 jobs, estimates say.

 

If it passes, it is supposed to give Florida a chance at that $2.6 billion in bullet-train money.

 

The current legislation is not cheap. None of this stuff is. SunRail is expected to cost $2.66 billion over 30 years with the state, federal and local governments each contributing $700 million and the rest coming from fares. Tri-Rail needs $13 million to $15 million more in subsidies a year.

 

But Florida needs jobs, economic diversification and better transit to reduce highway congestion, which is sure to increase as the economy recovers.

 

The legislation was guided in the House by Transportation Chairman Gary Aubuchon, R-Cape Coral, a businessman with strong conservative credentials. He says many of the problems with previous SunRail legislation have been ironed out, resulting in a better bill this time around.

 

Let our senators know your opinion on this issue.

CONTACT THEM

• Sen. Garrett Richter, District 37, 338-2777 in Lee or 417-6205 in Collier

• Sen. Dave Aronberg, District 27, 338-2646,

• Sen. Mike Bennett, District 21, 225-3697

Bold vision or wasteful boondoggle? That’s the question the Florida Legislature will decide on the future of a high-speed commuter rail line linking Tampa and Orlando.

 

After the state Senate scuttled rail legislation the past two years, the opportunity to build the so-called SunRail line now is too great to pass up.

 

Sen. Mike Bennett, R-Bradenton, was among the Republicans who voted to defeat the measures in the past, though this time he’s more open to the proposition. With House passage on Monday, the Senate takes up the bill today as the Legislature’s special session enters its sixth day grappling with the issue.

 

With the federal government dangling $2.5 billion in funding for the project, Florida would not have to bear the lion’s share of the cost.

 

Current legislation calls for $1.2 billion from state taxpayers, which includes the purchase of 61 miles of existing CSX freight tracks.

 

Plus, the Tri-Rail system in South Florida, which operates 50 trains daily, would receive an additional $15 million a year. Some time in the future, commuter rail would link Tampa to Miami.

 

The economic and environmental benefits are too tremendous to pass up.

 

In this age of record unemployment in the state, the rail project would put thousands of Floridians to work — with Gov. Charlie Crist’s estimating 14,000 in the coming years. The Florida Department of Transportation says the Orlando-Tampa rail line could mean up to 42,000 jobs eventually.

 

The state has already committed land along Interstate 4 for the route and finished environmental studies. The project is ready to roll.

 

Commuter rail would ease traffic on the heavily traveled Interstate 4 corridor. That, in turn, would negate the need for highway expansion and reduce the amount of fossil fuels exhausted into the environment. Fewer passenger vehicles on the highway also will speed commercial traffic, boosting business.

 

The economic impacts trickle down to Port Manatee, too. Infrastructure improvements on freight routes would ease bottlenecks and allow a larger number of shipments to head north.

 

With Port Manatee growing and poised to gain business when the Panama Canal expansion is completed is about seven years, the county could realize major economic and job gains.

 

One of the roadblocks to commuter rail legislation in the past has been releasing CSX from legal liability over train accidents, but the current measure requires the corporation to assume more responsibility.

 

The House bill also establishes a statewide rail authority and the responsibility to help launch other regional rail systems.

 

One of the components of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority’s master plan includes rail, which could some day link Manatee County to a statewide system.

 

If the Legislature sanctions a state rail policy, TBARTA’s plan stands a greater chance of success, as Frank Hibbard, the organization’s vice chairman, notes in the guest column below.

 

Florida’s transportation network needs more than highways. We should not maintain the status quo but build options.

 

Florida stands on the cusp of finally gaining ground on commuter rail, and the Legislature should realize that bold vision.

 

With every vote in the state Senate critical for passage, we urge Sen. Bennett to lead the way to support this legislation.

All of us need to pay attention to what the Florida Legislature is doing in Tallahassee now because its work will shape our lives - and our children's' lives - for generations.

The Florida Legislature is convened for a special session this week to address the state's transportation needs.

I believe that in the five days of the session, lawmakers' decisions may have the biggest impact on the way that we live in and travel in Florida since the Interstate Highway System first came into existence.

The next generation of employers, residents and tourists will need transportation options that will connect our state and the regions within it. Unfortunately, many of our highways and roadways are at or exceed capacity.

We must develop transportation alternatives like many other communities, such as Charlotte, Denver and Dallas, are doing. Those alternatives must include rail. After all, our federal taxpayer dollars fund these rail systems in other parts of the country. It's time we got our fair share.

As vice-chairman of TBARTA, I applaud the decisive action by the Legislature to bring resolution to the SunRail commuter rail initiative in Orlando and give extended life to the critical Tri-Rail commuter rail system in South Florida. The legislation lawmakers are considering will position our state to aggressively and successfully pursue a portion of the Federal High Speed Rail project.

But more importantly, the legislation creates a comprehensive rail policy for Florida. This will be done by creating a separate statewide passenger rail commission that will monitor efficiency, productivity and management of rail systems. It will give rail transportation the same status as our award-winning toll road system.

There are very few things that are more important to hard-working Floridians than creating opportunities to bring employers and employees closer and easing the burdens of our daily commutes.

Transit systems like SunRail and Tri-Rail and those envisioned in TBARTA's plans, all represent significant economic development opportunities that will also create jobs.

Two years ago, through the leadership of the Tampa Bay area legislative delegation, the Legislature created TBARTA and mandated us to create a regional transportation master plan that addresses the long-range transportation needs of seven counties, from Citrus to Sarasota counties.

The master plan has been created, and now all seven counties are busy working together to begin implement it and ultimately connect us as one vibrant region.

Why should we care? Because in order for the state to be a serious contender for federal funding, whether for high speed rail or regional rail projects such as those in Tampa, Orlando and Miami, the state must create a strong vision and demonstrate a strong commitment with its actions.

There will be no stronger proof of our state's commitment than if the Legislature successfully enacts a comprehensive rail policy during this special session.

Our Legislature may be on the verge of moving Florida's transportation system into the 21st century.

 

Gov. Charlie Crist, Senate President Jeff Atwater and House Speaker Larry Cretul have a chance to re-establish conventional and high-speed rail services across Florida, enhancing the state's economy. Floridians have waited to long for such leadership.

 

In 1964, my graduating class represented the first wave of the baby boom generation to finish high school and move on with life. That same year, Japan introduced the world's first high speed rail (HSR) service, the Shinkansen, with traveling speeds of 130 mph. Drafted two years later, I arrive in Florida, a state boasting a population of 5.5 million.

 

Over the remainder of the 20th century, virtually all of western Europe and the developing Pacific Rim nations of Korea, Taiwan and China built trains with speeds up to 200-plus mph while the U.S. lagged behind with a number of travel corridors offering travel times slower than what they had been a half century earlier. Post WWII America's love affair with the automobile resulted in huge government subsidies using billions of dollars of sales, income, property and other taxes (well beyond the gas taxes) to expand the public automobile and transit modes, while rail and other modes languished.

 

Federal, state and local governments spent $1.8 trillion over the most recent decade available (in 2009 dollars) on all forms of public transportation. Automobile-based road construction sucked up $1.1 trillion, with $163 billion in subsidies. Rail by comparison received $11.2 billion (less than 1 percent of the total), with all of it as a subsidy.

 

All public modes of public transportation receive subsidies — that is why it is called public. It is a public service delivered by government (with significant private sector involvement as well) subsidized to some extent by government for the benefit of the traveling public and private sectors to boost the economy as well as the quality of life. Without these government subsidizes, all transportation systems, as well as the economy, would grind to a halt.

 

Public roadway expenditures were 3.2 times larger than transit, 4.4 larger than air and almost 100 times larger than rail investments over this decade, while government subsidies to the automobile mode were matched closely only by transit.

 

This post WWII automobile mode spending at all levels of government continues to finance this insatiable addiction to petroleum-based fuel and one person-one vehicle travel. In Florida, for example, since the mid 1960s the population has exploded more than by 340 percent, to 18.6 million today, yet our investments in rail have been anemic. We have witnessed low-density suburbanization as we all reached out for cheaper land and more space, with the inevitable clogging of auto-subsidized roadways. It simply cannot continue.

 

No simple, cost-free solution to this congestion will emerge today or any day soon, and rapid advances in auto technology such as the all electric car may even exacerbate this trend. However, important initial steps can and should be taken to begin to offer Floridians public travel options. Conventional and HSR options that have been successfully implemented in other parts of the nation should be pursued. These public transportation choices will stimulate more efficient (and "greener") movement of our populations and growth of our economy as they are implemented and as use grows.

 

High-speed rail upgrades across the Boston-New York-Washington Acela HSR service (which reaches 150 mph in part of the corridor) have been met with unprecedented increases in ridership, capturing 63 percent of all air-rail passenger travel across this corridor, up from 50 percent four years earlier.

Meanwhile, Amtrak's ridership is up 13 percent since 2005. From California to Maine, intermediate-speed service has resulted in ridership increases unparalleled in recent memory.Impressive gains in rail service and enhancements to local economies occur wherever these services are introduced. Rail systems developed in American urban areas will be well-used when well-planned and implemented — and the same can be true for Florida

 

In the late 1990s, Florida had the opportunity to implement the private-sector-led, private-public Florida Overland Express (FOX) 325-mile HSR service across the Tampa-Orlando-Miami travel corridor. The FOX $5.6 billion investment plan promised 42,267 Florida jobs, $11.7 billion in wages and salaries and more than $40 billion in additional state economic benefits over a 30-year period. It included a $1.25 billion federal grant, rigorous ridership and revenue projections and plans to build out HSR future expansions to a 1,300-mile statewide turnpike-type system that would pay for extensions as revenues and demand allowed.

 

Had that opportunity not been lost in the late 1990s Floridians today would be widely using those planned HSR systems, and the Florida Legislature would be debating and planning how to use the surplus revenues to build the new HSR expansions. That was then and this is now. The choice is now, the future awaits.

 

Transportation, moving people and freight, is an essential ingredient for a strong economy. The time has come to recognize that we must complement our existing road systems with rail alternatives. This is vital as we seek to renew our urban industrial centers and build a stronger future for Florida.

 

In order to accomplish this, we must transform the way Florida thinks about transportation.

 

Fifty years ago, with the creation of the Interstate Highway System and the Florida Turnpike, the United States and Florida chose to take a new perspective on transportation. Today, with over 94.9 million vehicle miles traveled on Florida's interstates and more than 21 million on the turnpike daily, it is hard to imagine traveling through Florida without using one of these roads.

 

But Florida has a finite capacity to develop and expand roads. If we are to meet our obligation of providing a safe and secure transportation system, we must identify alternative transportation methods.

 

We also have the unique opportunity to provide much-needed jobs at a time when Florida's unemployment rate is one of the highest in the nation.

 

Many Floridians are struggling; almost a million are experiencing the pain of unemployment. Infrastructure projects are the best economic stimulus. They not only create jobs immediately with the potential for many more in the future, but also strengthen Florida's ability to remain in the global economy.

 

Many citizens have voiced their desire for a passenger rail system specifically connecting our Tampa Bay area to Orlando and other major Florida cities. The construction of the passenger rail line will create a significant amount of jobs and economic stimulus for the Tampa Bay area and the I-4 corridor.

 

During a time when over 1 million Floridians are unemployed, capitalizing on opportunities such as this is beneficial to the entire populous of our great state. A rail corridor between two of Florida's largest urban centers, Orlando and Tampa, will streamline transportation, commerce and tourism, creating the 15th-largest market in the U.S. and tens of thousands of jobs.

 

The legislation before us in Tallahassee is the first step in creating a comprehensive passenger rail system in Florida. It establishes a framework for future development and a funding mechanism for developing and operating passenger rail systems throughout this state.

 

The Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority would be eligible to receive up to $60 million per year in transportation funds for its continued efforts to bring a commuter rail alternative strictly servicing bay area citizens.

 

Investing in passenger rail is synonymous with investing in the future of our state. As policymakers, our main priority is to develop sound public policy that invests in the future of Florida.

 

Florida's elected officials must decide between maintaining the status quo or establishing a foundation for a viable transportation system that provides future generations with the infrastructure necessary to continue economic development, meet the challenges of tomorrow's global economy and pursue success in their families, businesses and communities.

 

 

The state's transportation future will be shaped this week by one clear, difficult choice. If modern passenger rail service is to come to Florida any time soon, the Legislature must pass a new law in special session that sets up a statewide structure to oversee and help pay for regional and city-to-city trains.

The decision can't wait for a better bill, a stronger economy or a longer period for debate. Florida is at a crossroads. To reject the proposal pulled together by Senate President Jeff Atwater, a Republican from North Palm Beach, would send two damaging signals.

One message would go to the White House and say that Florida does not support rail transit, so forget about giving us $2.5 billion to build a super-fast train from Tampa to Orlando and eventually Miami. It may be unfair and somewhat irrational that commuter rail lines and long-distance trains are so tightly linked. The fact is they are in the minds of federal rail officials, who have made no secret of their thinking.

The second signal would be to urban areas. Tampa, Orlando and other cities would get the message that if they want an alternative to jammed highways, they're on their own to figure out what to do.

The bill would create a new rail agency within the state Department of Transportation. It would be called Florida Rail Enterprise and bring coherence to statewide rail planning and financing. It would require no new taxes or affect existing programs. A portion of undesignated revenue from the documentary stamp on real-estate transactions would eventually fund the effort. The decision to build a first rail line is always controversial, so state leadership is essential, just as it is in the construction of major highways.

The current piecemeal approach pits one region against another and raises serious doubts about state participation, which is needed to attract federal dollars.

Tri-Rail in Southeast Florida is struggling to survive, and SunRail can't get off the drawing board, despite a pledge by local governments to help pay for it. Rail for Hillsborough County goes to a vote next year with opponents raising doubts about state and federal assistance. The bill being considered in Tallahassee would for the first time in Florida treat rail projects as assets worthy of permanent financial support, just like highways.

The majority of Tampa's legislative delegation is leaning against supporting the rail bill. If they help kill it, they would reduce the chances of success for local rail. If the bill passes over their united opposition, Tampa could find itself at the bottom of the state's priority list for new transit projects. Reprisal would be unfair, but that's politics. The bullet train might go from Orlando to Miami first, and never to Tampa.

If the bill passes with a reasonable level of support from West-Central Florida, the future for rail here would be much brighter. The first truly high-speed rail line in the Western Hemisphere might be built straight into downtown Tampa, and it could link to Hillsborough County's proposed light-rail line. Surrounding counties would have a big incentive to join, either with express buses or their own rail projects.

The liability issue with CSX freight trains sharing state-owned tracks would be resolved for the Orlando train in a way that could be repeated in other parts of the state. The private company would accept a share of the responsibility for accidents. That's a big improvement over the original proposal that made the state to blame for anything that went wrong.

Sen. Paula Dockery of Lakeland, who deserves credit for leading the successful fight against that bad deal last session and forcing the revisions, is not satisfied by the new terms. But she should recognize that it's virtually impossible to achieve a flawless deal and the stakes are too high to walk away from legislation that finally would enable Florida to develop a diverse transportation system, one the Republican leadership and most business groups are certain will be the foundation of an economic renaissance.

We understand that some rail advocates overstate the benefits of trains. We understand the principled opposition against big-government projects. But we can't understand the vision of some lawmakers who seem to think Tampa, Orlando, Miami and Jacksonville need the same transportation policy that works for Macon, Moultrie, Valdosta and Waycross.

Florida must begin spending more of its tax revenue on transit, as is done in other urban states, and it need not increase taxes statewide to do that. Circumstances require the state to either adopt a modern rail policy right now or be left far behind for decades, if not forever.

A special session of the Legislature that began Thursday on the future of commuter and high-speed rail in Florida could bring enormous benefits, including much-needed jobs, to the Sunshine State.

 

Here’s what’s on the table:

 

 Creating a rail authority in the state transportation department, modeled after the Florida Turnpike Enterprise, to oversee rail projects and their funding.

 

First up, the proposed SunRail commuter rail line in Orlando that lawmakers have tried but failed to pass for two years. Liability issues with freight rail giant CSX — which would sell 61 miles of track to the state but still be allowed to use them — previously blocked approval of SunRail, but appear to have been ironed out.

 

Money for the $1.2 billion SunRail project and future rail projects would come from documentary stamp taxes on real estate transactions.

 

 Shoring up the financially struggling Tri-Rail system in South Florida, the 71-mile commuter line that runs from Palm Beach to Miami-Dade County.

 

Why is approval of the commuter-rail package pressing enough to require a special session?

 

Because it will give Florida a fair shot at part of the $8 billion in federal stimulus dollars for bullet train projects early next year. The state could receive as much as $2.6 billion to build the first phase of a proposed high-speed rail line linking Tampa, Orlando and, ultimately, Miami.

 

But it’s far from a done deal because federal lawmakers have required states seeking the stimulus dollars to show they’re committed to rail by setting up dedicated funding sources for commuter-rail projects.

 

Eight Midwest states are jointly backing a rail network that would be based in Chicago.

 

Meanwhile, states like California, Virginia and North Carolina are farther ahead than Florida on required environmental studies for rail projects.

 

That means the competition is going to be tough, and even tougher because two hurdles threaten to boot Florida out of the running:

 

Some Democrats in the Senate are waffling on the measure because of pressure from labor leaders who say union members might lose jobs. That’s a red herring, and can’t be allowed to derail the train initiative.

 

Also, the funding mechanism in the bill to generate $27 million in annual operating costs needed for Tri-Rail is vague, and won’t convince Washington that Florida seriously supports passenger rail systems. Lawmakers should amend it to establish a secure pot of money.

 

That will be a chore after four straight years of budget cutbacks.

 

But the reason it must be done is obvious — jobs.

 

Florida’s unemployment rate hit 11.2 percent in November.

 

The SunRail project alone would create an estimated 6,700 construction jobs, according to the Orlando Sentinel. The high-speed rail line would add another 23,000, starting with construction of the Tampa-Orlando link in 2011.

 

What’s more, construction of the Orlando-to-Miami route, planned to begin in 2013, has the potential to bring jobs to Brevard.

 

The tracks would logically follow the Beach Line-State Road 407 corridor through Brevard and integrate with Amtrak service along the Florida East Coast Railway, according to Space Coast Transportation Planning Organization Director Bob Kamm.

 

Once built, the high-speed service would also spur tourism on the Space Coast and usher in an era of greener transportation for the entire state.

 

Florida’s lawmakers should craft and approve the strongest possible rail deal to gain the federal money before the special session’s close next week.

The special session called by Senate President Jeff Atwater and House Speaker Larry Cretul could get off to a shaky start Thursday for several reasons, but none should prevent passage of legislation key to keeping Florida in the running for $2.5 billion in federal stimulus money for a high-speed rail line.

 

There's no excuse for failure to get it right this time. The session is being held specifically to set the state's long-range rail policy -- a dedicated funding source for Tri-Rail, approval of the Sun-Rail commuter line in Orlando in a form acceptable to long-time opponents and establishment of an agency to oversee the high-speed rail project.

 

Must show commitment

 

The federal government has made it clear that Florida is prime for a bullet train but first the state must prove its commitment to rail transportation if it's to stand a chance of getting federal money to build the high-speed rail line from Tampa to Orlando and Miami. Ergo, the special session.

 

Still, African-American legislators are upset that it was called while they are hosting the annual conference of National Black Caucus of State Legislators. The timing is unfortunate, but legislative leaders were caught between tight deadlines -- they must act soon to keep the state competitive in the fight for federal dollars, which will be awarded early next year -- and the December holidays. The session needs to end by noon Dec. 11 so Jewish lawmakers can be home by sundown for the beginning of Hanukkah.

 

What's on the agenda could change but as of now the plan is to pay more than $1 billion to buy 61 miles of CSX track in Central Florida for SunRail and find up to $15 million in additional annual funding for Tri-Rail. Lawmakers last year raided a trust fund intended for SunRail so they'll have to look elsewhere to replace it. No small task in tight budget times.

 

Renegotiate deal

 

Another major hurdle for SunRail's passage is a sweetheart deal the state Department of Transportation made with CSX that would make state taxpayers liable for accidents caused by the railroad's employees. That's unacceptable and must be renegotiated.

 

As for Tri-Rail, lawmakers have identified a projected decade-long surplus of about $376 million in gas tax revenue in the transportation budget. Many prefer this to a proposal to add a $2 surcharge on rental cars in the counties served by the train, though the surtax also makes sense.

 

It's up to Messrs. Atwater and Cretul to make sure their goals are met rather than derailed by the problems threatening this important special session. If they walk away empty handed so will Florida in its quest for the coveted high-speed rail project.

Florida lawmakers have one job to accomplish in the special legislative session that opens today: Send a strong signal to Washington about the state's support for rail to draw billions of federal dollars for high-speed and regional commuter lines. The House bill is a starting point for creating a statewide strategy for rail. But lawmakers need a more reliable funding source, and they need to further limit the costs taxpayers would face from any accidents along the rail line.

 

Florida has applied for $2.5 billion in federal money to build the first leg of a high-speed rail line from Tampa to Orlando (and eventually to Miami). The state has committed land for the route along Interstate 4 and completed the environmental and ridership studies. But federal officials have said Florida needs to show more support for rail to win a chunk of at least $13 billion the Obama administration has committed for high-speed rail over the next five years. The House bill is an improvement over previous versions, but it still falls short of sending the right message to Washington.

 

The bill establishes a strong framework for rail on many fronts. It creates a statewide rail authority to coordinate publicly funded passenger rail. That agency would give rail the higher profile it needs and serve as a resource to regional efforts looking to build intercity lines. The legislation enshrines in law the state's responsibility to help regional rail systems get off the ground. The bill gives money to Tri-Rail, the underfunded line serving Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties. And it would clear the way for new regional rail systems, including SunRail in Central Florida and the budding effort for rail in the Tampa Bay area, to receive both the capital and the operating money they would need from the state.

 

There are still improvements to be made. The bill commits up to $15 million annually to Tri-Rail. But the state is counting on funding that obligation, at least through 2014, with anticipated surpluses in gas taxes. What will happen if the forecast is wrong? And where will the money come from after 2014? Tri-Rail needs a more stable funding source.

 

The legislation also would clear the way for the $1.2 billion SunRail commuter line from DeLand south to Poinciana. The bill better answers questions about legal liability when accidents occur and requires CSX to accept more responsibility than earlier versions. But it still does not go far enough. The proposal calls for the state to purchase the tracks from CSX and for the freight carrier to share the line. The state still would cover most damages arising from accidents — including some where CSX is at fault. CSX would be liable for damages it caused at railroad crossings. But taxpayers would be liable for damages to rail passengers and station property even in crashes where CSX was at fault. The state could recover money from CSX if the company was found to have acted with "willful misconduct," but the amount recoverable would be capped at $10 million.

 

This legislation is meant to chart a new course for the state and to be a model for how all governments in Florida acquire, operate and fund passenger rail. The high-speed line, Tri-Rail and SunRail offer Florida enormous opportunities. But the state needs to fund them adequately and insist on fair deals from our private-sector business partners.

As expected, Florida's legislative leaders this week called on lawmakers to attend a special session in Tallahassee, where they'll vote on substantially expanding the state's commitment to passenger rail.

What's surprising — and nerve-racking for backers of SunRail, Tri-Rail and high-speed rail — is that Senate President Jeff Atwater and House Speaker Larry Cretul called the session even though there don't appear to be enough votes to make the trains run.

Blame the uncertainty on opposition from the state's labor bosses, who would rather see Floridians unemployed than working in non-union jobs. No wonder Americans are disillusioned with organized labor.

The state House is not a problem; the rail package appears to have plenty of support there. But two state senators have identified only 20 votes for SunRail. That's four more votes than earlier this year when senators axed the 61-mile commuter line that would run from DeLand to Poinciana. However, it's still one vote shy of passing the 40-member chamber.

State government leaders traditionally don't call special sessions unless they're certain of the outcome. However, they called it this time because if Florida's to have any chance at federal money to run high-speed trains, it first needs to show its commitment to commuter-rail.

And it can do that only if lawmakers this month approve a liability agreement for SunRail and increase funding for Tri-Rail, which serves South Florida commuters. So with the holidays fast approaching, Mr. Cretul and Mr. Atwater felt compelled to make the call now.

Even though Mr. Atwater still appears at least one vote shy of passing the rail legislation.

We say at least one vote because one of the 20 senators supposedly in SunRail's camp now sits precariously on the fence.

That's Senate minority leader Al Lawson, a Tallahassee Democrat, who last month said he shares a sense of urgency on SunRail. But on Monday, he reportedly said he hadn't yet decided how he'd vote.

His indecision comes as the Florida AFL-CIO on Monday branded SunRail as anti-labor.

And because organized labor holds sway over so many Democrats, South Florida Sens. Dave Aronberg and Ted Deutch also are now on the fence right alongside Mr. Lawson, despite signaling earlier that they were leaning toward backing SunRail. Either is considered a contender for the 21st vote needed to pass the rail legislation.

Of SunRail, Mr. Aronberg last month said, "I would like to get it done. I think we can get it done."

It can get done if people like Mr. Aronberg, Mr. Deutch and Mr. Lawson show leadership by staring down the unions if labor continues to take an anti-jobs position in opposing SunRail.

SunRail is projected to create 6,700 construction jobs. It's needed before federal officials will entertain giving Florida as much as $2.5 billion for a high-speed rail line from Orlando to Tampa. That line would create another 23,000 construction jobs. That's about 30,000 construction jobs between the two lines, many of which could be filled in as little as two months. Quite an Rx for the state's 11.2 percent unemployed.

But the union says lawmakers need to promise in writing that the jobs of union members working the lines will be protected — even though they get those protections once the state secures money it's expected to get from the Federal Railroad Administration.

It's galling to think that a few legislators would grovel at the feet of Big Labor instead of standing up for Floridians everywhere.

The Florida House released a list of 36 members -- nearly one-third of the total membership -- who have excused absences for one or more days from the week-long special session on transportation that will get underway Thursday. With five excused senators, it means fully one-fourth of the 160 members of the Legislature will miss part of the session that leaders say is urgently needed to help Florida qualify for federal high-speed rail money. 

 

The House absentees include 13 Republicans and 23 Democrats, 17 of whom are African-Americans and who presumably will attend the National Black Caucus of State Legislators annual conference in Fort Lauderdale. Notable no-shows on Dec. 3 and 4 include House Democratic Leader Franklin Sands, D-Weston; Rep. Ron Saunders, D-Key West; and the newest House member, Rep. Mack Bernard, D-West Palm Beach, whose own swearing-in has been delayed until next Monday.

 

House Republicans who won't arrive until next week include Reps. Ed Homan, R-Temple Terrace; Doug Holder, R-Sarasota; Paige Kreegel, R-Punta Gorda; and Ron Schultz, R-Brooksville. Some lawmakers cited personal, family or business conflicts; the full list of reasons was not immediately available.

 

Five senators also were allowed to skip Thursday's largely-ceremonial opening of the session to attend the NBCSL conference. They are Sens. Tony Hill, Arthenia Joyner, Gary Siplin, Chris Smith and Frederica Wilson.

Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater is on to something when he argues for shifting the state's transportation network from an obsession with roads to an investment in rail.

 

In a memo that went out Monday, Sen. Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, calls for a reappraisal of rail in Florida's future. He goes beyond questions about commuter rail that the Legislature must answer to give Florida a place in a national high-speed rail competition. Since the special session on rail begins Thursday, however, the Legislature will consider this broad, new idea on a very tight schedule. House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Yulee, said Monday that there is "an agreement in principle" between the House and Senate, and envisioned the Legislature finishing work on the bill by next Wednesday.

 

The cornerstone is creation of a Florida Rail Enterprise, modeled on the turnpike authority within the Florida Department of Transportation. This new agency would assure dedicated money for rail projects, including $60 million from real estate taxes. For South Florida, the key is that the new agency could protect money for Tri-Rail, the Palm Beach to Miami-Dade commuter line.

 

Otherwise, Sen. Atwater's promise to use an unexpected surplus in gas tax collections plus "additional future transportation dollars" will be meaningless. Future Legislatures could shift the money to roads.

 

Sen. Atwater would have the state monitor rail systems by creating a Passenger Rail Commission. The oversight would apply to commuter lines, such as Tri-Rail, and future systems, such as high-speed rail. Such a commission could help extend Tri-Rail to Jupiter and the Treasure Coast and move freight lines west.

 

While Sen. Atwater is right that Florida cannot continue to rely on the automobile alone, legislators will have to think beyond the intractable issues that have blocked solutions for Tri-Rail and SunRail, a proposed Orlando-area commuter rail line. Failure, however, would drop the state out of the running for $2.5 billion in high-speed rail money. Also, the plan to shift transportation money to Tri-Rail carries no guarantees. The Legislature regularly raids trust funds.

 

Tri-Rail officials have been seeking a $2-a-day car rental tax that would raise three times the money that this deal would provide.

 

If by transforming transportation in Florida, Sen. Atwater means shifting money from roads to rail, it's going to take a heartfelt shift in attitudes, not just among legislators but among voters. How will legislators explain to frustrated commuters that road-widening comes second, after a high-speed rail line between Orlando and Tampa?

 

Still, Sen. Atwater is right to think differently. It's interesting, too, that the far-reaching idea comes not from the governor or a candidate for governor. It comes from a Senate president who's also seeking higher office but is taking a broader, bolder approach.

The state of Florida has a trust fund, into which has flowed an unexpected amount of money in recent months, thanks to higher gasoline sales and increases in vehicle registration and driver's license fees.

 

For the struggling commuter rail system in South Florida, Tri-Rail, this could be good news. Lawmakers could use some of the anticipated $154 million extra to help cover operating costs.

 

The Legislature also could put some of the new money toward the proposed $1.2 billion, 61-mile SunRail train system linking Orlando and Tampa.

 

An alternative for helping to fund these could be a new tax on rental cars — a proposal that hasn't won much support in the past but that could be used to give the state leverage in seeking federal money for high-speed rail projects.

 

A special legislative session, looming this week, to affirm support of urban rail systems would go a long ways toward keeping a $2.5 billion in federal grant money from evaporating, and that is not an insignificant reason to meet.

 

The U.S. Department of Transportation has said Florida's support of commuter rail systems is a factor in awarding such grants, which are highly sought by many progressive states.

 

Such support has been slow to build, with proponents of rail service short 21 votes in the Senate. Some legislators simply have little faith in the financial viability of commuter systems, and others are primarily concerned about the state's liability in the event of accidents.

 

"I think the federal government has made it relatively clear that if we can show our commitment to rail here in Florida, then we have a much great opportunity for the bullet-train funds from the federal government," Mr. Crist said earlier this month.

 

He said potentially billions in federal stimulus funding of an inter-city "bullet train" is not directly linked to state promotion of urban rail systems such as Tri-Rail and SunRail. But, he said, "It shows a level of commitment on the part of Florida that would be favorably viewed by the federal government."

 

This is not an insignificant reason for lawmakers to confer in special session, reassess the issues and give Florida a fighting chance of joining the future of urban transportation that meets many of the environmental and economic goals that, to date, have been given mostly lip service.

Finally, some forward movement on securing the future of Tri-Rail and establishing SunRail, a commuter service in Orlando. Accomplishing these would keep Florida in the running for $2.5 billion in federal stimulus money for a Tampa-Orlando-Miami bullet train route.

 

Federal transportation officials have made it clear that Florida won't get a share of the $8 billion, which dozens of states are vying for, to build its bullet train unless the state first shows a commitment to mass transit. Specifically, finding a permanent funding source for Tri-Rail and giving SunRail the go ahead. Time's running short, because the federal money will be awarded early next year, well before the state Legislature meets in March.

 

Lawmakers seem serious

 

That leaves just one possibility: a special session in December. Gov. Charlie Crist on Monday said he wanted to call the session. He should do so, now.

 

The other encouraging sign is that legislative leaders appear to be serious about solving Tri-Rail's chronic deficit and contributing to SunRail's start-up. They may even have found a funding source that's more palatable to some lawmakers than a proposed $2 surcharge on rental cars in the counties the train serves.

 

Lawmakers are eyeing surplus money in the state's transportation budget -- about $376 million projected over a decade -- from fuel taxes. Using transportation-related revenue to fund the commuter train between Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties appears to have more support in the House than the $2 surcharge.

 

One way or another, however, the Legislature has to find that permanent revenue source -- be it the rental surcharge or surplus fuel taxes. Tri-Rail is a success, having seen its ridership soar after a completed double-tracking project increased the number of trains during peak hours to one every 20 minutes.

 

Federal good-faith funds

 

What's more, if the state doesn't fund Tri-Rail, it will have to repay the federal government $256 million it spent for the double-tracking project. That was good-faith money the feds put up because the state promised to keep investing in Tri-Rail.

 

The Sunrail project has a few more wrinkles. Lawmakers are concerned about its estimated cost -- up to $1.2 billion -- and an unwarranted indemnity agreement with CSX, which owns the tracks. The agreement would stiff Florida taxpayers for costs connected to CSX employees' negligence.

 

State transportation officials said recently that CSX may renegotiate the liability agreement, as well it should. For while SunRail's cost is a challenge, the real obstacle to passage has been the liability deal.

The Legislature should make it clear to the state Department of Transportation and CSX that the agreement must be renegotiated to take Floridians off the hook.

 

This can get done. It only takes a genuine commitment from Florida's leaders to act quickly.

You've surely heard the story of the two hikers who came upon some strange tracks in a clearing: as they stood on the tracks, arguing about what sort of animal might have left them, a train ran over them.

 

The villain in that story, of course, is neither the train nor the tracks but rather the ignorance that prevented those hikers from grasping the implications of their discovery.

 

Today, Florida has come upon a clearing of sorts, and how we conduct ourselves matters more than we can imagine. I only hope we avoid the mistake of arguing our way to misery - or worse. While the story of the hikers is fictional, our state's challenges are very real.

 

I believe that the future of America, like much of its past, will be shaped by rail. At its inception, many of our nation's early population and commerce centers were situated on or near waterways, either in coastal regions or on major rivers. Later, throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, passengers and freight were primarily moved by trains, and demographic shifts reflected this dynamic. My city, Lakeland, is one of many that owes its origins and vitality to rail.

 

With the advent of the interstate highway system, however, the last half of the 20th century came to be dominated by concrete and asphalt. It is now virtually impossible to find a large, thriving community that is not served by at least one interstate highway - and the larger metro areas tend to have more than one such access point.

 

Now, as energy shortages, environmental worries, unmitigated congestion and safety issues have undermined the infinite hopes we once had for highways, the power of rail is once again stepping to the forefront.

 

Centuries ago, a community without water access was doomed to obscurity. Decades ago, a community without an interstate exit was destined to shrink. Soon, the health of a region will be judged once again by its rail. The capacity to move people and goods quickly, safely and economically remains vital.

 

What Europe has done for decades, the United States is now preparing to do: invest in high-speed rail. The Federal Railroad Administration will be allocating billions of dollars in the coming years to the development of cutting-edge technology and game-changing infrastructure. This stimulus funding, also known as the High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program, could result in high-speed-rail service linking Tampa and Orlando, and setting the stage for a subsequent link to Miami as early as 2017.

 

Massive investments will go somewhere, and future investments from both the public and private sectors will follow. Thus, the somewhere matters immensely. We have seen earlier cycles of financial prosperity follow waterways, then railroad tracks and later highways. The next cycle will favor high technology, including the dynamic innovations associated with high-speed rail. The coming federal investment in high-speed rail will transform the regions in which it is made.

 

Most observers anticipate that California will be the initial beneficiary of federal investments in rail. The same state that led the nation into the information economy is nicely situated to lead the rail revolution. The most populous state, despite its current financial woes, has established a dedicated funding source to address operating costs of a new high-speed-rail system, and the state's congressional delegation is unified and mobilized to grab whatever federal funding may become available.

 

Florida, to its credit, has secured the right-of-way necessary to lay down the requisite tracks and facilities. This land has been valued in excess of a half a billion dollars and is obviously a significant asset as we make our case to federal officials. However, Florida has no source of operating funds. Even if our federal delegation could be mobilized on the rail issue, the state is challenged to compete with California and several other states who have made aggressive cases for federal funding.

 

Thus, we find ourselves in a metaphorical clearing. Will we argue with one another here in the Sunshine State, while history passes us by (or runs us over)?

 

Or will we grasp the significance of this moment?

 

A special session of the state legislature could address our competitive deficit, just in time to make our case for federal investment more compelling.

If Florida secures high-speed-rail funding, we will become a magnet for smart growth, innovation and jobs. The state and its people deserve no less.

 

[Dr. Marshall Goodman is the CEO of the University of South Florida Polytechnic in Lakeland. USF Polytechnic is building a high-tech campus on Interstate 4, along Florida's designated high-speed-rail corridor. For more on Florida's high-speed-rail application, visit www.floridahighspeedrail.org.]

Florida lawmakers may have a way to avoid the thorny issue of raising taxes to pass commuter-rail legislation: Motorists may be paying enough at the gas pump to bail out South Florida's beleaguered Tri-Rail commuter system.

State economists this month have increased their estimates of how much tax revenue will be flowing into Florida's road-building trust fund in future years. The state will collect $56.9 million more than it had expected this year, and $78.1 million in the fiscal year that starts next July 1.

Most of the increase stems from higher-than-expected gasoline sales, but some comes from hikes in vehicle-registration and driver's-license renewal fees that lawmakers passed last spring.

Including $19 million in unexpected revenues in the year ending last June 30, lawmakers will have $154 million extra for next year – more than enough to prop up the troubled South Florida train system, if they choose.

And that could be an easy choice considering their two other alternatives: approving a new $2-a-day rental-car surcharge, or taking on road-builders to steer away other transportation funds.

Gov. Charlie Crist and legislative leaders have been quietly working on details of a special lawmaking session that could happen as soon as next month to authorize the $1.2-billion SunRail train through Orlando, as well as provide a dedicated funding stream for South Florida's commuter system. Tri-Rail needs $40 million to $50 million annually to cover operating costs and faces the possibility of having to repay the federal government $256 million if it folds.

Federal transit officials have stressed to Florida that if it hopes to secure federal funding for a proposed high-speed rail link between Orlando and Tampa, it must demonstrate a commitment to those inter-connected commuter rail projects.

The initial idea was to include a new $2-a-day rental-car "surcharge" in the rail package to prop up Tri-Rail. But last week, House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, called that option a "heavy-lift" in the current political climate. The Legislature raised taxes and fees by $2.3 billion last spring to balance the state's budget.

Senate transportation budget chief Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, went further, proclaiming he would "not support any tax to support any entity that runs in the red, and that's Tri-Rail."

"There are groups out there that are balking at a rental-car surcharge," said state Sen. Jeremy Ring, a Broward County Democrat negotiating the Tri-Rail portions of the legislation. "To the extent that we can find other revenues, that is a strong possibility."

The rental-car surcharge "is not as popular as it once was," conceded Sen. Lee Constantine, an Altamonte Springs Republican trying to resolve the liability insurance issues in the rail package.

Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, floated the idea of shifting some of the cash coming in from Florida's existing rental-car tax. But that revenue stream is actually decreasing – economists lowered expected collections next year from $100 million to $92 million.

And transportation contractors, who get paid about $3 billion annually out of the transportation trust fund, adamantly opposed the idea, arguing they are already due to face a drastic cut in road-work when other federal stimulus dollars run out.

"We definitely are not crazy about it," said Bob Burleson, president of the Florida Transportation Builders' Association. "We have made it clear to House and Senate leadership that … we think it should be done without impacting existing funds available for the DOT work program."

But Burleson said his membership could accept dedicating a portion of the higher-than-expected revenues to Tri-Rail, although builders would prefer to see local governments in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties foot the bill.

"We could certainly live with that as a short-term solution," he said.

Atwater spokeswoman Jaryn Emhof said Monday that lawmakers were still "exploring all revenue options" for funding rail and that no decision on the timing of a special session has been made.

Ironically, the higher gas-tax revenues may be a result of the economic recovery taking longer to materialize. Last spring, economists expected increased economic activity would spark an increase in oil prices as demand increased.

"The energy prices have actually gone down. That's what we're responding to, lower costs for gas going forward,' said Amy Baker, coordinator of the state's Office of Economic and Demographic Research. "That has a lot to do with the slower economic recovery."

A special lawmaking session over high-speed and commuter rail inched closer Monday as legislative leaders and the governor said they were ready to tap surplus money discovered in the transportation budget rather than raise taxes on rental cars.

 

The surplus money -- about $76 million for the current and next budget years -- should be enough to help fill a hole in South Florida's Tri-Rail system.

 

Also Monday, opposition to Central Florida's SunRail project started to thaw in the Florida Senate, where the transit system could now be one vote shy of winning passage, according to a Herald/Times vote count.

 

Among the switched votes: Democratic leader Al Lawson of Tallahassee and Republican Steve Wise of Jacksonville. Newly elected Sen. John Thrasher, who was a chief lobbyist for SunRail last year, replaced SunRail opponent Jim King. And Tony Hill, D-Tallahassee, missed the vote last year but said he was "leaning toward'' voting in favor of the rail package.

 

Federal transportation officials have told Florida officials that the state needs to do a better job supporting Tri-Rail and SunRail to have a better chance at winning up to $2.5 billion in federal money for a high-speed rail project.

 

The federal government has been besieged with requests from various states for high-speed rail money. And U.S. Department of Transportation spokespeople said Florida's support for the commuter rail systems are just a "factor'' in awarding the grant, which is not "contingent'' on Tri-Rail and SunRail.

 

Still, legislative leaders and Gov. Charlie Crist say the state needs to do more.

 

Crist said last week that he wanted to issue a call for a winter special session by Thanksgiving.

 

"I am anxious to do it," Crist said of calling a week-long session, noting lawmakers would already be in Tallahassee for a committee week in December. "They're going to be up there the week of the seventh anyway," Crist said. "It wouldn't cost us additional money to do it."

 

But despite Crist's optimism for a special session, he hasn't put much effort into persuading the rank-and-file legislators in the Florida Senate where the SunRail project has died for two years. Six Republican senators who voted against SunRail last year told the Herald/Times that neither Crist nor Senate President Jeff Atwater had called to lobby them for the project.

 

Crist noted that Senate and House leaders like the idea of using existing tax money to fund Tri-Rail.

 

The House balked at a proposal to raise rental car surcharges by $2. Last week, state economists bailed the Legislature out of its financing problem by estimating that the state would take in more fuel tax money than had been anticipated: $19 million more this budget year and $57 million next year.

 

Behind the scenes, rail proponents almost have a guaranteed 20 votes in favor of SunRail in the Senate. That's up 16 votes last spring. But it's one vote shy of securing passage in the 40-member chamber.

 

Many lawmakers are concerned with the longterm cost of SunRail -- up to $1.2 billion -- as well as the fact that the owner of the rail line, CSX, wanted the state to completely indemnify it in the case of an accident.

 

"You could have a CSX conductor high on crack cause a horrible accident and the people of Florida would have to pick up the tab," said Bradenton Republican Sen. Mike Bennett. "I'm all for rail. I love rail. But I hate bad business deals. And this is a bad business deal."

 

Florida's transportation secretary, Stephanie Kopelousos, said CSX is willing to renegotiate and has showed a willingness to pay up to $10 million in cases of "willful and wanton'' negligence. But nothing's in writing yet and it's unclear if that's enough to ease concerns in the Senate.

MIAMI – Veronica Jackson pored over a training notebook as she sat in a Tri-Rail commuter train one day last week. Glancing over, she could see thousands of cars and trucks creeping along Interstate 95, brake lights blinking as darkness fell.

"I love it," said Jackson, 24, an officer for the Transportation Security Administration. "I don't have to drive."

Across the aisle sat William Regnery, a 44-year-old bag handler for American Airlines. His Tri-Rail take: too many delays, too few trains.

"When they have a delay, they have a delay," he said, shaking his head. "It's not five minutes or 10 minutes. It's 30 minutes or 40 minutes or more."

Yet, service interruptions soon could be the least of Tri-Rail's worries. It's facing the possibility of going out of business, as well as owing the federal government $256 million.

Like the SunRail commuter train proposed for Central Florida, Tri-Rail is looking to the state Legislature for help during a special session that could be held in December.

Tri-Rail backers are seeking a source of permanent funding from lawmakers, possibly a $2 daily surcharge on rental cars. SunRail enthusiasts are asking for approval of a liability agreement, a request denied twice by the state Senate in the past.

If the Legislature fails to come up with money, "it would be devastating," said Jeff Koons, a Palm Beach County commissioner and chairman of the agency that runs Tri-Rail.

And if Tri-Rail fails, SunRail could go down for good, too.

"Philosophically, we are joined," Tri-Rail Executive Director Joe Giulietti said of the two systems.

Here's why: Neither train has the votes to get what it wants from lawmakers without the other's backing.

Even though Tri-Rail's ridership is near record levels, it still needs $40 million to $50 million annually to cover operating costs. That's how much the $2 surcharge could generate annually in South Florida. Tri-Rail serves Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties, all three of which are reducing contributions to the train because of budget woes.

SunRail backers are willing to vote for the surcharge if Tri-Rail proponents support the insurance policy for its project.

That deal was offered last year, but the South Florida contingent largely balked at it, in part because of a caveat that the surcharge would have to be approved by a voter referendum no later than 2014. So Tri-Rail went home without its subsidy, and SunRail had no liability pact.

But now the federal Department of Transportation is dangling the possibility of awarding up to $2.5 billion to Florida for a high-speed train that would link Orlando with Tampa. But there is a caveat here, too. To be eligible, the Legislature first must prove it supports mass transit by getting Tri-Rail its dedicated funding and SunRail the liability agreement.

Federal officials also are threatening to make Tri-Rail repay the $256 million it was given to double the track along most of the 72-mile route the train follows. The logic is that Tri-Rail would be reneging on its pledge to run at least 48 trains daily if it reduced service because of the shortfall and, eventually, shuts down.

Adding urgency to the situation is that the federal DOT could make its choices for high-speed money in January. The fund holds $8 billion, and federal authorities are sifting through 45 requests from 24 states seeking a total of $50 billion. An additional 214 applications from 34 states are asking for $7 billion for planning and smaller projects.

The result is a spate of political machinations throughout the state as the dates of the potential special session — Dec. 7-11 — draw nearer. Supporters are trying to line up the 21 votes needed to pass Tri-Rail/SunRail in the 40-member Senate. House leaders indicate they have the votes.

State Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs, is confident of passage but said work remains to be done.

"It's just nailing it down," he said.

State Sen. Jeremy Ring, D-Margate, and one of only three Democrats in the Senate to vote for the SunRail/Tri-Rail package in April, said the Legislature has to find a way to get both trains what they are requesting.

"If we are going to move forward, we are not going to move forward by reinvigorating the past," he said.

One potential glitch developed last week when Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, said federal officials were lukewarm on a voter referendum because it could be defeated at the polls. Atwater indicated he might be open to another solution, such as devoting a portion of the state's gas tax to rail, instead of traditional road-building projects.

Giulietti maintains Tri-Rail and SunRail deserve the aid.

"An area like Orlando is ready for mass transit," Giulietti said. "The density is there."

Tri-Rail, he said, has carried more than 50 million passengers since starting 20 years ago as a temporary alternative for motorists trying to avoid a massive I-95 widening project. Daily ridership has been as high as 16,500 because the double-tracking completed in 2007 allowed trains to run more often and with fewer delays. Record gasoline prices helped, too.

"They," Giulietti said of Tri-Rail's ridership, "are out of their cars and riding the system."

Transportation consultant Thomas Boiton of Lake Park contends it would be almost criminal for Tri-Rail to cease operations — simply because a road-only future is impractical in a region with an estimated 5.4 million residents.

"You can't build yourself out of congestion," Boiton said.

But not everyone supports Tri-Rail in South Florida.

"If there ever was a government project that took money from the many to provide a service to the few, it's Tri-Rail," said John R. Smith, a 68-year-old financial planner who lives in Palm Beach Gardens. "This is truly a financial black hole."

State Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, supports Tri-Rail but opposes SunRail. Tri-Rail, she says, should be funded. But SunRail, she maintains, is too expensive at $1.2 billion and assigns too much liability to the state if there were an accident.

Though Dockery, who has launched a bid for governor, has campaigned for nearly two years against SunRail, most Tri-Rail riders know little about the planned train to the north. Their main interest is in getting to and from their jobs in South Florida.

Gunnar Stewart, a 49-year-old attorney's representative, figures he saves several hundred dollars a month by riding from his home in Fort Lauderdale to work in downtown Miami because he is not spending money on gas or parking. As a bonus, he gets to relax on the train.

"I would rather do this," he said, "than sit in traffic."

Two weeks remain for backers of SunRail to get Gov. Crist or Tallahassee's legislative leaders to call a special session, where lawmakers would get one more crack at approving the train for metro Orlando.

They've said they'll call it — if it's got enough votes to pass.

The difference between now and when SunRail died in the final weeks of the last regular legislative session is that SunRail's backers aren't panicking. They're looking like cool operators conducting a 2-minute drill.

And they're looking that way because this time around they're in a better position to win.

They've done a much better job selling SunRail as a key link in an evolutionary chain that can bring several train systems to metro areas throughout Florida. That's partly why Sens. John Thrasher of Orange Park and Stephen Wise of Jacksonville, respectively, are for or leaning toward supporting SunRail. They know it can help leverage funds for future commuter-rail systems in Jacksonville.

Just as it would do for another system in Tampa.

And just as it's close to doing for Tri-Rail, the train serving commuters from Miami to West Palm Beach. Backers are close to striking a deal that could tap more revenue for that cash-poor line, either with a $2 rental-car surcharge, with a portion of the state's gas tax or a share of the money set aside for the state's five-year transportation works program.

That in turn is making it easier for some South Florida legislators to warm to SunRail. Dave Aronberg of Greenacres said this week he "think[s] we can get it done." Previously, Mr. Aronberg voted against it, mistakenly falling along with other South Florida legislators for promises from Sen. Paula Dockery of Lakeland that she could secure money for Tri-Rail following SunRail's defeat. It didn't happen.

SunRail's backers aren't getting distracted, as before, by chasing impossible votes from public-transit opponents like Sen. Gary Siplin of Orlando. They're not wasting their time with Ms. Dockery, who, despite her current run for governor, increasingly seems marginalized. She's scheduled to be in Winter Park on Monday, where she'll try to convince officials there to turn their backs on residents who voted to host a commuter-rail station. It will be interesting to see if she tries hoodwinking them, like when she insisted last year that it would take almost two and a half hours to travel SunRail's route. Less than one and a half hours is correct.

Others who did little last year to strengthen SunRail's chances of passing Tallahassee are doing a lot, or at least are working constructively, to enhance SunRail's prospects. Gubernatorial candidates Alex Sink and Bill McCollum have come out strongly for it, knowing SunRail would help Tampa, Jacksonville and Southeast Florida cities with their rail systems — and boost Florida's chances of landing federal funding for a high-speed rail line.

Florida's new U.S. senator, George LeMieux, has helped. He got Tallahassee Sen. Al Lawson to speak well of SunRail, and strengthened Senate President Jeff Atwater's resolve to pass it.

CSX Corp., which has agreed to sell its tracks for SunRail, has indicated it will lighten the state's liability in case of accidents. And because SunRail's backers in Washington should be able to secure more federal funding to cover its $1.2 billion price tag, unions have softened their opposition. The funding could come with provisions supporting union jobs.

Together, it puts SunRail's backers in what should be a strong enough position to nail down a win in Tallahassee.

As the year ends, it is important that Floridians note that the legislature failed to pass the Sunrail proposal once again. The legislature must not drag its feet on this project, as the federal funds will soon be unavailable.

The time has come to modernize Central Florida's transportation system.

Sunrail is essentially a new transit system for Central Florida. The system will create new and expand existing railroad tracks to accommodate passenger cars.

Although a much smaller system, Sunrail will operate much as the Washington DC Metro. Sunrail will provide fast and efficient service throughout Central Florida.

The initial plans call for tracks from Sanford through Orlando. However, it is expected that once the system is operating it will quickly expand.

If you have ever sat on I-4 wondering why it takes an hour to move ten miles, then Sunrail is the answer you seek.

Sunrail will reduce the number of cars on I-4, provide an affordable and efficient method of transportation for Floridians, and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Instead of having to rent a taxi to get to the airport, you will be able to leave Park Avenue and reach the airport in less than 20 minutes. This will be both cheaper and faster than car transportation.

Many Floridians are probably concerned about the costs of this project. However, there is good news in that regard.

The project will be heavily supplemented by federal funds that are waiting to be used on a system such as this.

No new taxes would be enacted to pay for this system. Indeed, once operational, the system will pay for itself.

Speaking of the economics of this project, this project will create thousands of jobs for individuals in Central Florida and stimulate the suffering local economy.

The Sunrail has to be built, then maintained and operated. For each of these stages, many unemployed Floridians will be able to find new jobs.

The Sunrail benefits everyone in Central Florida and provides the foundation for the continued growth and prosperity of the Orlando area.

As Orlando enters the future, it faces two options: it can either adopt a mass transit system such as Sunrail, or wait and watch as the drive time on I-4 increases. Sunrail benefits the economy, Sunrail benefits the residents of Orlando, and Sunrail benefits the environment. Let's get Sunrail!

Area lawmakers say they’re more confident now that the SunRail commuter rail project, considered to be on life support just a year ago, is once again on track to getting a green light.

 

As lawmakers gear up for a special legislative session in December to approve a funding package for SunRail and for South Florida’s rail system, Tri-Rail, they think that tying the local systems in with a proposed high-speed rail project will make the entire package more attractive.

 

“Instead of just SunRail, it will also be high speed rail and Tri-Rail down in Miami,” said state Rep. Eric Eisnaugle, R-Orlando. “That will be a very different deal than just SunRail. It they lump all three together, that’s a different animal altogether.”

 

The SunRail project is a commuter rail line that would run from Volusia County to downtown Orlando, and then to Poinciana. It has twice been approved by the Florida House of Representatives but lost both times in the Florida Senate.

 

But now state officials hope to also tap into $8 billion in federal stimulus dollars for high-speed rail projects, and use some of that money to build a high speed train that would run from Cocoa Beach to Orlando International Airport, then down to Tampa. That project becomes more attractive to federal officials if there are also interconnected local commuter systems like SunRail and Tri-Rail.

 

“We cannot build enough lanes on I-4,” said state Rep. Geraldine Thompson, D-Orlando. “We need mass transit.”

 

Thompson noted that her district includes economically struggling neighborhoods like Pine Hills and Paramore, where residents can’t always afford a car and are crying out for other transportation options.

 

“I’ve visited cities where people don’t even own cars,” she said. “They just get on light rail.”

 

Thompson said Florida also has a great opportunity through the stimulus money to make all three systems work.

 

“In order for Florida to qualify for high speed rail, we’ve been told in no uncertain terms it has to be intermodal,” she said.

 

Lawmakers still have to figure out how to pay for the state’s share of these projects, estimated at more than $1 billion for SunRail alone, at a time when state revenues are down because of the recession and Florida’s double-digit unemployment rate.

 

State Rep. Steve Precourt, R-Orlando, said lawmakers are considering a new tax on rental cars as a one possible funding source.

 

“It will probably include a rental car surcharge,” he said.

 

Thompson said the hope is that “it will be the tourists who primarily pay that surcharge.”

 

Still, Precourt said he’s more confident this time that SunRail will make it through the full legislature.

 

“I’m a SunRail supporter, and it is a different animal this time around,” he said.

 

Still, state Rep. Scott Randolph, D-Orlando, noted that “It’s never had a problem getting through the House. It’s always lost in the Senate.”

 

Here's the simple problem:

 

Tri-Rail, Florida's only rail-transit system, is failing because past and current governors and legislators have not been able to approve a dedicated revenue source of funding.

 

Now, the situation is so severe that the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority has authorized the use of capital funds in order for Tri-Rail to meet its daily payroll.

 

If Tri-Rail fails, the consequences are enormous. Thousands of jobs will be lost; residents of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, who account for 30 percent of Florida's population, will be left without their primary north-south passenger rail service; more cars will clog our roads (especially Interstate 95); air pollution will increase and so too will our dependency on foreign oil; and, finally, the state will be held responsible for repaying a $256 million grant.

 

To add even more urgency to the problem, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has put Florida on notice that, unless a dedicated revenue source for Tri-Rail is approved before January, Florida will lose its chance to be awarded $2.5 billion for bullet trains as part of the stimulus package.

 

The federal government will decide in January which states receive bullet-train funding. If Tri-Rail's dedicated funding is not approved before then, the bullet-train money will go to other states that have financially supported their commuter rail systems.

 

So, unless the governor, the Senate president and the House speaker call a special session before January, and the legislators pass and Crist approves a dedicated revenue source for Tri-Rail, Florida will be a big loser.

 

That's the simple problem, and here's the simple solution:

 

First, call the special session in December. Then, approve the $2-per-day car-rental surcharge that has been proposed by South Florida regional authority and previously supported by some state legislators.

 

Everyone wants a painless a way to pay and the surcharge is a perfect solution, since the impact on Floridians will be minimal. The surcharge won't apply to an owner of a motor vehicle who rents a car while his auto is in the shop for maintenance or repair. And, realistically, the surcharge will not prevent a single visitor from coming to Florida or renting a car. By the way, Utah has an $8-per-day car rental surcharge.

 

That's the simple solution to the simple problem.

 

Will our governor and state legislators act responsibly to solve this simple problem?

 

I don't know, but I do know that we can stop this catastrophe if we all do our part in convincing Gov. Charlie Crist and our state legislators to act in the best interest of the people of Florida.

 

Specifically regarding transit and rail infrastructure I ask you to write your State Senators and Representatives to support the December special legislative session on transit and demand a dedicated funding source for statewide transit projects. Florida is competing with other states for federal dollars that we all pay in taxes. Let’s bring that money back to Florida! I would like to thank Senator Atwater for sponsoring this legislation currently being proposed as a $2 fee on all rental cars in Florida to be used as matching funds for federal stimulus projects and to fund Tri Rail and Sun Rail commuter rail services in Florida.

 

I hope to see everyone next Wednesday at the County Commission Chambers after work 5:30pm wearing your sport, organization or cause. Together we can make positive changes for the Miami region.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"If we don't do something about health care, it's going to run our country into bankruptcy," Nelson told the crowd gathered at city hall.

 

Lawrence Adkins, 62, of Brooksville said he worried that the bill could result in cuts to senior health care programs.

 

"Do you think the senator from the state with such a large number of seniors is going to let that happen?" Nelson said with a smile, prompting chuckles from the audience. "What we're going to do is insist on efficiencies — and I don't mean cuts, I mean efficiencies — so the United States can afford it."

 

Nelson said he pushed an amendment in the Senate finance committee that would allow the government to secure prescription discounts from drug companies for Medicare and Medicaid patients. The measure could save more than $100 billion over 10 years, but got shot down in committee.

 

Nelson said he would try again when the debate comes before the full Senate.

 

"I'm going to try to shame them when we get to this issue to the floor," he said.

 

Earlier in the day, at a Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce luncheon, the Democratic Senator Nelson said he expects the Senate to ultimately will pass a health care bill, but one more moderate than the House bill, which he called "tilted a bit to the left.''

 

He also expressed dismay that some of Florida's legislative leadership is intent on drilling within three miles of the state's west coast, thinking it will add billions of dollars to state coffers.

 

But Nelson said it will take 10 years to realize any financial benefit even if drilling produces oil, which he doubts. Past attempts, he said, have been dry holes.

 

Nelson said he opposes drilling off the Florida coast in part because of its potential negative impact on the state's tourism industry, but also for national security reasons.

 

"This is the largest testing and training area for the U.S. military in the world," Nelson said of the eastern Gulf of Mexico. He quoted a letter from former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld who said oil drilling there is incompatible with military activities. A similar letter from Robert Gates, the current defense secretary, is forthcoming, Nelson said.

 

He's not against all drilling in the Gulf of Mexico. "Just keep it out of the testing area," he said.

 

He noted that there are more than 37 million acres available for drilling in the central and western parts of the Gulf, but only 7 million are being used.

 

"You've got plenty you haven't drilled yet," he said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 http://myfloridalegal.com/webfiles.nsf/WF/JFAO-7XER9T/$file/sunrail.pdf

 

In the Orlando Sentinel article, "Proposed train projects: Will new jobs sway opinions?" on Tuesday, reporter Dan Tracy shared the history of why the AFL-CIO has opposed SunRail and worked to defeat the commuter rail in the face of bipartisan support.

He wrote that the unions have backed high-speed rail, "but the union also worked to defeat SunRail twice in the Legislature because it maintains the train managers might hire unqualified, nonunion workers."

I don't think anyone — train managers, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty, Congressman John Mica or Congresswoman Corrine Brown — has expressed any support for hiring "unqualified" workers, regardless of their labor affiliation.

I'll bet everyone — other than these union leaders — might agree the characterization that "nonunion" is synonymous with "unqualified" is not only inappropriate to repeat in the context of this article, but an insult to the 96 percent of employees working in the private sector of Florida. Qualification, training and abilities are not exclusively correlated to union affiliation, regardless of what a union leader might say.

Publicly, the AFL-CIO says it is trying to protect some six or eight union railroad brakemen now working for CSX who would not be needed if these tracks are converted to SunRail. It is well-known that those workers have been offered similar or better jobs in other parts of the state on CSX, or offered separation deals which would continue their wages for several years. We all should be so fortunate if our jobs go away.

The AFL-CIO has done its best to block the economic engine that SunRail might drive, and block the jobs associated with its construction, operation and eventual economic development around the stations. Those jobs would be awarded based on merit and go to both union and nonunion workers — which is the rub to the unions.

It is more likely that the brakemen are a false front to improve the public image of the AFL-CIO's true agenda. Its goal appears to be the forced unionization of all of the workers on the new SunRail — both construction and operations — which, thankfully, none of the political and business leaders will accept as a precondition of funding this train.

This article just as easily could have stated that the train managers and supporters opposed this AFL-CIO objective because they might be forced to hire unproductive union workers. That, likewise, would be considered inappropriate as a matter-of-fact statement.

As SunRail continues its journey through Florida's political maze, I hope there is less stereotyping of workers based on their labor affiliation and more exploration of the positions of those in favor of and opposed to SunRail's future.

Mark P. Wylie is president and CEO of the Central Florida Chapter Associated Builders and Contractors in Orlando.

 

 Job-creation figures

 

SunRail proponents maintain that 6,700 construction jobs could be created by the train, approval of which is expected to be considered by the Legislature in a December special session. SunRail construction could last five years, possibly starting as early as 2010.

"We could be shovel-ready in 60 days," Dyer said.

High-speed rail, meanwhile, envisions about 23,000 construction-related jobs, starting in 2011 and ending in 2014.

High-speed enthusiast Ed Turanchik maintains the spinoff jobs of the trains are just as vital to the economy as those involved with laying track and building depots. He's referring to potential development around the stations that could include restaurants, offices and apartments.

The state's high-speed-rail application to the federal government, which seeks $2.5 billion to buy and build the system, pegs jobs related to the project at 25,000.

"That's massively important," said Turanchik, a former Hillsborough County commissioner who directs ConnectUs, a pro-high-speed-rail group based in Tampa.

SunRail also projects jobs out for 30 years. Its final tally: 261,420 jobs, worth about $8.8 billion. High speed only looks at the actual construction years.

Snaith said looking three decades into the future is difficult. But, he said, there is little doubt the trains would create thousands of jobs.

 

Union opposition

 

The AFL-CIO of Florida, which represents many of the unionized trades, has backed high-speed rail for years.

But the union also worked to defeat SunRail twice in the Legislature because it maintains the train managers might hire unqualified, nonunion workers.

AFL-CIO spokesman Rich Templin said his group is not sure what stand it will take on SunRail this time.

"We just want to understand the truth of all of this," Templin said. "It has gotten much more complicated."

Dyer, a Democrat who has worked with the unions for years, argues the AFL-CIO should look at the overall job picture, not just at those employed by the train.

Templin said he understands that argument, and "we are looking at all of this."

Job projections: 

High-speed rail
(2011-15)
Direct: 23,000
Indirect: 25,800

SunRail
(2010-40)
Direct: 113,065
Indirect: 261,420

Direct refers to jobs directly related to rail construction, such as concrete mixers, carpenters, laborers.

Indirect refers to jobs created as a result of the trains, such as construction work for development around new stations.

SOURCE: City of Orlando, Florida Department of Transportation

 

Copyright © 2009, Orlando Sentinel

The Obama administration is dangling $2.5 billion in economic-stimulus money to help Florida fund the construction of a high-speed link between Tampa and Orlando and to plan a second leg from Orlando to Miami.

 

But not so fast: Federal transportation officials want the state to show a commitment to commuter-rail systems, such as South Florida's existing Tri-Rail and Central Florida's proposed SunRail -- a commitment that has been lacking in Tallahassee so far.

 

And, the federal officials say, they want that commitment by the end of this year or the stimulus money -- along with the needed economic boost and the many jobs the project could generate -- will go elsewhere.

 

A record of indifference

 

Until now, the Legislature has never shown much enthusiasm for high-speed rail, despite the potential for such a system to alleviate traffic on Florida's busy interstates, save countless gallons of gas, cut pollution and reduce the highway risk to life and limb.

 

In 2000, when Florida voters approved a constitutional amendment calling for a high-speed rail system, legislators set up a supervisory authority but declined to properly fund it. After 2004, when voters, at the urging of then-Gov. Jeb Bush, repealed the constitutional provision, the Legislature generally ignored high-speed rail as a transportation option.

 

But $2.5 billion in federal money and the jobs it would create don't grow on orange trees, and they aren't being produced by the state's still moribund tourism, real estate and construction industries.

 

So the federal ultimatum has set off a scramble among state politicians in Washington and Tallahassee. Florida's new, temporary U.S. senator, George LeMieux, has taken up the cause. Last week he called legislative leaders to Capitol Hill to meet with fellow Sen. Bill Nelson and U.S. Department of Transportation officials.

 

"Shame on us if we don't take advantage of this historic opportunity," LeMieux said after the meeting. "Building commuter and high-speed rail lines will create thousands of jobs, it will stimulate our economy, and it will mean transformative change for our metropolitan areas."

 

Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater -- who attended the meeting with Sen. J.D. Alexander, chairman of the state Senate's Ways and Means Committee, and Democratic leader Sen. Al Lawson -- called immediately for a special legislative session to deal with the commuter-rail proposal. The session, if House Speaker Larry Cretul agrees, will be in December, when legislators will be in Tallahassee for committee hearings.

 

Gov. Charlie Crist, who named LeMieux to the Senate and is running to replace him after next year's election, endorsed the session: "It's necessary because, No. 1, we need transportation arteries for Florida."

 

Despite the rising chorus, gaining the crucial commitment to the commuter systems won't be easy.

 

Legislators have previously rejected a proposed $2 surcharge on car rentals to finance commuter-rail projects. That was despite the possibility that the state might have to give back some $256 million in federal aid if it does not provide a continuing funding source for Tri-Rail.

 

SunRail is even more problematic. The system would operate on CSX tracks in the Orlando area, and the most recent proposal called for holding the freight line harmless in any legal action resulting from the firm's negligence. CSX also wants $150 million for use of its tracks and another $500 million for improvements to CSX facilities. The Florida Senate rightly rejected that proposal.

 

Long-awaited commitment

 

Atwater, however, said federal officials might be flexible in how they view the state's commitment.

 

"This is about rail in Florida; it's not about SunRail specifically," Atwater said after the Washington meeting. "That's what their communication was to us today: 'Look, we need to see long-term commitment on rail activity in Florida if we're going to make this investment.'"

 

Rail advocates, knowing that Florida can't pour enough asphalt to handle its growth in population and traffic, have tried for years to gain that commitment. At last, the Legislature may be ready to get on board.

 

The outlook is grim. But backers -- including U.S. Rep. John Mica, who has been SunRail's most dogged proponent -- should not give up. This project is sorely needed in an area that will only grow more congested as the economy recovers and the construction industry regains its footing.

 

Orlando and its sprawling suburbs are already choked with vehicle traffic, and the congestion is spreading up Interstate 4 to Volusia County. There's little hope of building enough roads to meet the demand -- and plenty of reasons to look for alternative means of moving people in efficient, environmentally friendly ways.

 

SunRail's future has been cloudy for weeks, but its potential death warrant came late in the legislative session, when the Legislature refused to sign off on a deal that would take advantage of more than $500 million in federal money to help fund commuter rail in Central Florida.

 

State Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, spearheaded an intense campaign against the project, portraying it as a massive giveaway to the CSX Corp., the freight giant that owns the tracks SunRail was to have used. Dockery argued that $432 million was too much to pay for tracks that the state would own -- but share with CSX. That position was partly countered by an appraisal that put the value of the tracks at more than $400 million. But Dockery's description of the potential impact of additional freight-train traffic on downtown Lakeland was also persuasive. The state should have negotiated an alternative route for the freight traffic that would be displaced by the commuter-rail line.

 

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer told the Orlando Sentinel on Monday morning that he wants to try to extend the deal with CSX (which is set to expire June 30.) It's obvious now that the Legislature won't sign off on a deal that grants this much to the rail giant. Still, a new pact might open the tracks to commuter rail. Dockery has said she supports the concept of commuter rail; Gov. Charlie Crist and Mica should take her at her word, and enlist her help in striking a new deal that doesn't impact Lakeland so harshly.

 

That will only happen, however, if lawmakers keep their fingers out of a pot of money that would help pay the state's share of the SunRail deal. Over the weekend, Dockery and others lent support to a move that would siphon $30 million set aside for SunRail to support South Florida's fiscally strapped TriRail system. And lawmakers are eyeing the transportation trust fund that would have funded SunRail to help balance other areas of the budget.

 

Leaving the state's contribution intact is the wisest move. Central Florida's lack of mass transit could be a significant barrier to economic progress in the future. SunRail would be a significant step toward a regional transportation system that could someday reach from Daytona Beach to Tampa -- but it will never happen if lawmakers don't move this train off the side track.

A corporate giveaway?

 

Dockery, who last year kept the commuter train from coming to a vote by protesting a provision that would have exempted its operation from lawsuits, this year focused her opposition on CSX, the Jacksonville-based company that owns the tracks SunRail would have run on.

On Friday, Dockery left a paperback book in the office of every senator called Free Lunch: How the Wealthiest Americans Enrich Themselves at Government Expense (and Stick You With the Bill). A bookmark with the words "Deal or No Deal" was placed in the third chapter, which detailed CSX insurance arrangements in another state.

"It's a bad deal ... a giveaway," she said over and over — much to the annoyance of SunRail proponents.

They say Dockery effectively, but unfairly, demonized the state's agreement to pay CSX $432 million for 61.5 miles of tracks it owns and some related system improvements, and spend an additional $173 million on grade-crossing improvements.

"Messaging is everything," said Sen. Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando. "The message was shaped before we ever got engaged."

 

A complicated argument

 

Constantine tried to frame the argument as the future of mass transit in Florida.

His reasoning: Though the SunRail bill primarily sought to set up a $200 million liability arrangement to assign responsibility for accidents on the system, it also set a precedent for future commuter trains. Among the areas seeking stops or systems are Tampa, Jacksonville and Lakeland.

He also added a sweetener for South Florida, which is looking at service cuts at the Tri-Rail commuter train in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

He offered South Florida lawmakers a local-option rental-car surcharge subject to county commissions' approval. In a nod to no-tax Republicans, voters could repeal the tax in a 2010 referendum — a date Constantine later extended to 2014.

The offer would have raised $50 million to $180 million for Tri-Rail, but it garnered only two extra votes instead of the anticipated five or six.

That baffled Gardiner and Constantine.

"Isn't that amazing?" Constantine said.

In the end, Constantine had what he called "a 15-minute argument." By contrast, he said, Dockery's pitch "takes 15 seconds."

 

Money talks

 

SunRail failed to pick up two votes in the heart of its would-be service area: Sens. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, and Evelyn Lynn, R-Ormond Beach.

Their opposition was founded, in part, on the cost of the deal. Siplin said he wanted more money for education, even if it came out of transportation trust funds — historically frowned upon by the Senate.

Lynn was worried about the insurance policy, saying that the state could be on the hook for millions of dollars in the case of an accident, even if it were caused by CSX.

Money was a powerful argument against the train, especially given the backdrop of budget-cutting the Legislature has been engaged in because of the recession. Both chambers had gone into special session in January to cut more than $2 billion.

"You look at that," Gardiner said, "and it only makes sense that it's an uphill battle."

 

Leadership failure?

 

John Thrasher, one of the state's most influential lobbyists, who was working for SunRail on behalf of the city of Orlando, said a major problem was the fact that the train was something new.

"Big ideas sometimes take time to ferment and grow," said Thrasher, a former House speaker.

Though he would not point his finger at anyone in particular, Thrasher said "leadership" failed SunRail.

"To pass a big idea like this takes a lot of leadership," he said.

Gov. Charlie Crist, Senate President Jeff Atwater, R- North Palm Beach, and incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon, R- Winter Park, all publicly pushed for SunRail.

But there was little sign of the arm-twisting and in-your-face "persuasion" that usually characterize high-stakes campaigns.

Cannon never was asked to get a House vote because the bill died in the Senate. But supporters grumbled privately that he didn't try to use his clout on senators.

Crist courted a half-dozen or more senators in the final days and even reversed his opposition to the 2014 rental-car tax referendum. But he said little publicly.

Atwater made sure the bill got favorable committee references and worked with Constantine and Gardiner to get it to the floor — which never happened last year. At the end of the session, he was complimented by both sides for his "fairness."

 

Grudges and alliances

 

Forget ever going anywhere on Central Florida commuter rail. That train is long gone.

 

Lawmakers consigned Central Floridians to suffer through increasingly bad traffic on Interstate 4 and its packed feeder roads for . . . well, for who knows how long?

 

The media will report that the deal to run a train from DeLand to metropolitan Orlando died Friday in the Florida Senate. But it never got out of the station.

 

Former Gov. Jeb Bush and transportation officials negotiated a secret deal with Jacksonville-based CSX, which owns the tracks commuter rail would have used. The bargain gave the train company more sweeteners than a doughnut shop.

 

The state would buy the land then lease it back to CSX to run freight trains, as well as pay for improvements to the rail company's other lines. It would allow CSX to contract out for some employees, shutting out higher-wage union workers. In the sweetest offer of all, state taxpayers would foot the bill for accidents involving CSX, a for-profit company.

 

It's no wonder legislators balked at spending more than $1 billion for a commuter train. They had no part in making the deal and most wanted no part in making it happen.

 

In this year of economic disaster, another potent motive emerged to oppose the new rail line -- politics.

 

Voters might not look kindly on elected officials who approved $1 billion for a train while schoolchildren were going without books and nursing home patients were receiving less care. Lawmakers could picture the attack ads in their next campaign.

 

The train's supporters didn't counter. The governor and legislative leaders paid SunRail lip service, yet never truly lobbied lawmakers to pass it.

 

Meanwhile, Sen. Paula Dockery vehemently opposed the project because it routed slow-moving freight trains through her Polk County district. She attacked the proposal in every committee meeting and garnered help from some of the Senate's most powerful members to kill it.

 

So the train Central Florida's residents have been waiting for isn't coming. I looked forward to the day I could ride it to downtown Orlando for a business meeting or shopping trip. I loved the idea of leaving behind the white-knuckle, stop-and-start I-4 commute.

 

No one knows how long it will be before we can ride a commuter train where we need to go.

 

Central Florida's leaders, particularly Congressman John Mica, have tried for more than a dozen years to get a train rolling. The original plan was to connect Orlando and its outlying destinations with light rail. When that died, Mica helped initiate the 61-mile DeLand-Poinciana project, promising federal millions.

 

There's no arguing that the agreement Gov. Bush struck with CSX was less than ideal. But no one -- not Gov. Charlie Crist, not lawmakers, not Central Florida's leaders -- came up with a better one. And as rotten as some say the deal was, it's the exact same one that works for the state's only regional commuter train, South Florida's Tri-Rail.

 

The car culture in Florida still reigns. Resign yourself to spending more and more of your day sitting behind the wheel.

Backers, including Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, worked the halls and fourth-floor rotunda of the Capitol -- where lobbyists and politicians tend to gather -- looking for the 21 votes necessary to win a $200 million insurance policy for the train in the 40-member Senate.

 

Dyer also met with union and CSX officials, though not at the same time. CSX would sell 61.5 miles worth of tracks to the state for the train, plus some other related items, for more than $600 million. Union representatives are against the deal because they fear the private contractors who would operate the system would not hire union workers.

 

After about a 20-minute meeting with Dyer, Duane Sealey of the AFL-CIO did not look pleased. "We're still talking. We're still trying," he said.

 

If SunRail is to make it the Senate floor for a vote before the regular session ends Friday, the insurance legislation most likely must be appended to another bill by 5 p.m. today. That would set up a battle Thursday.

 

Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, and the leading opponent of SunRail, remains convinced that she has the votes to stop the train.

 

"It's a fluid situation," she said. "The amount of pressure being put on members (by SunRail supporters) is ridiculous."

 

Sen. Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, said he believes enough votes are there for SunRail, though he is worried they might not be strong enough to withstand the onslought of amendments designed to derail the train that have been promised by Dockey.

 

"It's going to be really close," he said.

Crist said that he and Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos met with Sen. Frederica Wilson, D-Miami, this morning and were “very close” to obtaining the final votes to pass the plan in the 40-member Senate.

 

But in the fog of battle on the fourth floor, victory was not yet clear. SunRail proponents are hammering on South Florida’s Democratic senators, touting the bill’s $2 per day car rental surcharge as a way to bail out troubled Tri-Rail. In a pitch to sweeten the deal, SunRail backers say they would extend the time before voters would have to approve the $2 surcharge once approved by county commissioners.

 

Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, has led the battle against the plan. She said that even if a few South Florida lawmakers are peeled away, there are still a majority of senators who will vote against the plan.

 

Crist said the deal is getting a lot of his attention just two days before the end of this year’s session.

 

“Calling them, meeting them in the office,” he said of his pitch to lawmakers. “I’m encouraged by where we are.”

The Central Florida Partnership has been a major supporter of the commuter rail and called the videos of potential riders talking about why SunRail is important to them, a true grassroots movement during the final days of the 2009 Florida Legislative Session.

 

Central Florida Partnership President and CEO Jacob V. Stuart said “These videos are just another example showing the unwavering support of everyday citizens who agree that SunRail will create jobs, protect the environment, reduce gridlock, and connect the state as never before imagined,” said Stuart. “We need commuter rail as part of Florida’s public transit system to meet the demands of today and tomorrow.”

 

The YouTube site also shows viewers how they can contact their legislator to show their support for the bill, which is making its way through the state legislature.

 

Senate Bill 1212 has been voted favorably out of three Senate Committees and is waiting to be heard on the Senate Floor.

John Mica and Corrine Brown dropped in on Tallahassee from their congressional offices Monday to urge state lawmakers to move forward on commuter rail or risk losing federal rail money for years to come.

 

Brown, who chairs a transportation committee, said other U.S cities are ready to move on rail projects, when the federal money is doled out.

 

"The question is, where is Florida?"

 

Mica praised state senator Lee Constantine of Altamonte Springs for his effort to get it passed. Opponents say they don't want the state liable for accidents on the rail lines.

 

The SunRail project would connect DeBary to Sand Lake Road in Orlando by 2011.

 

Last week, a state senate committee narrowly passed the bill, essentially sending it to the senate floor where stiffer opposition is expected.

Our work on the CSX issue began in 2006. The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Lakeland, the Lakeland Downtown Development Authority and other community stakeholders, extensively studied the impact of the proposed CSX intermodal logistics center project in Winter Haven.

 

A Lakeland CSX Task Force was formed at that time to address the issue of increased freight and truck traffic through Lakeland as a result of this project. The group met with several groups, including CSX, the Florida Department of Transportation, the Department of Community Affairs, and local and state elected officials, to learn how best to protect Lakeland from the negative effects of additional freight and truck traffic moving through our city.

 

As we studied the issue, it became clear that any successful rail strategy would need to be regional in its scope because of the complexity and scale of rail projects themselves. In early 2008, Lakeland officials began meeting with representatives from Polk, Orlando and Tampa through a group called the Super Regional Strategy Team. Connectivity throughout Central Florida is vitally important to Lakeland in that Interstate 4, which crosses through our city, has the state's largest number of intercity trips between Tampa and Orlando, which totaled 14 million in 2000 and is projected to increase to 29 million in 2020. The Super Regional Strategy Team determined that unless we, the Central Florida region, worked together in a collaborative manner to develop a regional-and-state transportation plan, no one area would be successful in its short and long-term transportation goals.

 

The position of the Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce is to secure the relocation of freight traffic out of our city, and to work with our partners to develop a regional-and-statewide rail-transportation plan.

 

It is important to note that Lakeland is expected to see increased freight traffic with the construction of the Winter Haven ILC, which CSX has publicly stated it is committed to build regardless of the outcome of the Central Florida Commuter Rail legislation. Realizing that additional freight was expected, despite the passage or defeat of Senate Bill 1212, the chamber voted to push for the inclusion of language protecting Lakeland's interests. The chamber's lobbying efforts have focused on the inclusion of the "Lakeland language" in Senate Bill 1212, which provides legislation to:

 

Require FDOT to work closely with affected communities (Lakeland) to identify and address the impacts of increased freight traffic.

 

Provide for a project development and environmental study by FDOT to determine the best alternate route that will minimize the impact of freight traffic in urban corridors.

 

Require FDOT to begin the rerouting of freight traffic out of Lakeland in a fiscal year no later than 10 years from the commencement of construction of the CSX Winter Haven ILC.

 

The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce will continue to work with our local, regional-and-state partners to move freight rail out of Lakeland, and to develop a regional-and-state rail-transportation plan that ensures positive economic growth and quality of life for all of Lakeland's businesses and citizens.

 

 

 You argue that the state would "pay CSX too much for the tracks," yet the value of the 61 miles of CSX right of way through metro Orlando was determined by two certified independent appraisals. Considering that adding one lane to I-4 would cost billions of dollars, the cost to buy 61 miles of existing rail lines looks modest by comparison.

 

 

 

 

 

The bill required to make the 61.5-mile rail system a reality got support from four of seven Senate transportation appropriations committee members, who overcame opposition focused primarily on costs and a controversial legal liability arrangement.

 

Proponents say SunRail is a necessary long-term transportation alternative in the growing Interstate 4 corridor and would spur economic development and ultimately create thousands of jobs.

 

They also say failure would endanger future federal transportation funding for similar state projects.

 

But whether the SunRail bill has the support to get through the Senate remains in question.

"I have to tell you, this still has a bit of an uphill battle in the Senate," said the transportation committee's chairman, Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey.

 

Project opponent Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, used starker terms.

 

"Absolutely, I have the votes to defeat it and have for three months," she said.

 

To complicate matters, the project appeared to be getting drawn into a tough budget debate, as well.

 

Senators pointed out that the House's budget proposal includes removing more than $400 million from state transportation funds. Doing so would delay the project for several years, a top Florida Department of Transportation official said.

 

SunRail is expected to cost the federal government, the state and five local partners -- Volusia, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties and Orlando -- $2.7 billion over 30 years.

 

It has strong support from some of Central Florida's most powerful politicians and business groups, as well as Gov. Charlie Crist, who sent out a statement lauding the committee's action shortly after the bill was passed.

 

But the SunRail legislation -- which supporters envision as a template for future Florida commuter-rail projects -- also has significant opposition.

 

Critics say the state's financial commitment -- which includes $432 million for the corridor purchase alone -- isn't justifiable in a year when core state services face deep budget shortfalls.

They also have been extremely critical of legal language that would help shield the rail corridor's current owner, CSX Transportation, from liability for accident damages to commuters in the corridor.

 

The SunRail plan hinges on the sale of the corridor to the state and an agreement in which CSX then would lease the tracks for freight traffic.

 

Under the proposal, CSX wouldn't be responsible for damages up to $200 million to commuters even if its freight trains caused it. To that end, the state would maintain up to $200 million in liability insurance.

 

Opponents say such an arrangement would encourage poor safety practices and increase the likelihood of deadly accidents.

 

The project also has drawn opposition from the Florida AFL-CIO, which says the legislation will lead to short- and long-term loss of union jobs as the state takes over the corridor and issues contracts for work like that done by signalmen.

 

That puts rider safety in the hands of the lowest bidders, they say.

 

Even elements added to the SunRail legislation to increase support have drawn flak.

 

The bill that passed Monday would let county commissions create a $2 per day rental-car surcharge to pay for transportation projects.

 

The surcharge was added to bring on board South Florida lawmakers seeking a dedicated source of money for the Tri-Rail commuter system in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.

 

The surcharge would require voter approval, though, which led representatives from Tri-Rail to oppose it. In part, they're concerned county-by-county approval could have a splintering effect on the system. Though Fort Lauderdale Democratic Sen. Chris Smith backed the bill, he said he did so with doubts.

 

"This is still a very ugly bill," he said, "a bill that still needs a lot of work."

 

As of Monday, the SunRail bill was scheduled to go to one additional Senate committee, though proponents were lobbying to get it sent directly to the full Senate. The Legislature's session is scheduled to end May 1.

“I applaud Chairman Mike Fasano, Senators Andy Gardiner, Chris Smith, Alex Diaz de la Portilla and the Senate Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee for passing the SunRail bill," Crist said in a statement his office released this afternoon. "SunRail will create thousands of jobs and generate millions in additional revenue for Central Florida while protecting the environment and supporting business growth needs.  A special thank you to Senator Lee Constantine for his unwavering support. I look forward to the full Senate taking up this important bill."

 

Expect a little more gentle urging from Crist, and some not-so-soft behind the scenes lobbying.

 Our state has spent millions of dollars to develop transit plans that now sit on the shelves of planning offices around Florida. We will most likely have the same arguments surrounding mass-transit 20 years from now.

 

Why then, if the arguments are the same and the issue so difficult to accomplish, does mass transit keep coming up? Why do our elected officials, business leaders and citizens keep trying to bring mass transit to Florida? Quite simply, because it works.

 

 

A quick trip to Charlotte, N.C., or Denver will prove this point. Each of these communities endured messy political debates over building a mass transit system but ultimately made the investment, and it continues to pay off in positive economic opportunities for their communities.

 

One of our biggest economic competitors, Charlotte is a great example of success. The Charlotte system, which has only been open for one year, has exceeded ridership expectations, is directly responsible for more than $4 billion in economic impact and has supported new growth patterns that are combating sprawl and congestion.

 

Even as the construction of that system experienced cost overruns and timeline concerns, the citizens of Charlotte overwhelmingly defeated a ballot measure to overturn the sales tax that supports the system. The system is now a source of community pride and a sign of economic enlightenment.

 

 

Arguments about the cost of SunRail don’t take into consideration what Florida citizens are already paying for roads and interstate lane miles.

 

Commuter rail will cost $7.8 million per mile and can carry up to 15,000 passengers an hour. Every new lane on Interstate 4 costs more than $1 billion, and each lane can carry a maximum of 2,000 cars per hour. Also, for every $1 of construction on roads, we must reserve $4 for maintenance and repairs.

 

Plus, Floridians are already contributing our tax dollars to transit systems in other parts of the country. Overall on federal transit funding, our “rate of return” is far less — typically in the 63 cent-on-the-dollar range — and we only get back 16 cents-on-the-dollar in the transit category, called “new starts” where dollars for projects like SunRail come from.

 

If the Florida Senate does not approve SunRail, $682 million in federal money earmarked for this project will automatically go to similar projects in other states.

 

We are so close to bringing commuter rail to Florida with SunRail. The elected officials, business leaders and citizens have come together in support of SunRail and federal, state and local dollars have been committed to the project. The last piece is SB 1212, which finalizes the liability agreement to allow commuter and freight trains to share the same tracks.

 

 

With weeks left in a legislative session and a deadline to complete the contract on SunRail looming, it is unclear if our elected officials in Tallahassee will ultimately complete the deal. It’s the same old story. Once again Florida may once again walk away from a mass-transit opportunity.

 

Florida has got to move beyond the same old reasons not to build commuter rail and move toward our future vision, where our regions, tourist attractions and economies are connected by efficient and effective transit. We urge our leaders in Tallahassee to finally allow decades of work to be completed, let the citizens get what they want and allow SunRail to be built.

 

The alternative is to wait another 20 years and then have the same argument all over again.

 

That kind of déjà vu we can’t afford.

 

The bill supporting SunRail -- which is slated to link DeLand and Poinciana in Osceola County -- was scheduled to come back before the Senate's transportation appropriations committee Saturday afternoon, said its sponsor, Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs.

 

"I believe strongly in this issue and I believe in SunRail for Central Florida and rail for Florida, and I'm willing to come back and do this at any time," Constantine said after the committee's morning meeting.

 

The 61.5-mile SunRail is expected to cost the federal government, the state and five local partners -- Volusia, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties and Orlando -- $2.7 billion over 30 years.

 

Its first phase connecting DeBary and Sand Lake Road in Orlando is scheduled to open in 2011 -- if proponents can get the Legislature to sign off on a controversial legal agreement that makes it possible.

 

Lawmakers who support the project have moved to soothe the objections that stalled it in the Senate in 2008. The bill also is intended to be a template for other state rail projects.

 

Legislators removed language granting state sovereign immunity protection for the companies hired for SunRail operations, dispatch, maintenance and security.

 

But questions have raged in Tallahassee about whether the state should commit to the costs at a time when it faces serious budget problems and whether it should agree to controversial legal liability language that's required for the sale of the rail corridor by CSX Transportation to happen.

 

Those questions continued to dominate Wednesday, as Senate opponents introduced multiple amendments meant to address what they consider to be a badly flawed deal.

 

"They're running out of time," said Sen. Paula Dockery, a Lakeland Republican who has spearheaded opposition to the project.

 

She said she expects the bill to make it out of the seven-person transportation appropriations committee because of language added to placate wary South Florida lawmakers.

 

The wording -- sought by supporters of the Tri-Rail commuter system in South Florida -- would allow counties to add a $2-per-day surcharge on rental cars for designated transportation projects.

 

Tri-Rail backers say the additional money is needed to keep that system healthy and afloat.

The SunRail plan hinges on the sale of the rail line to the state and an agreement in which CSX then would lease the tracks for freight traffic.

 

CSX won't sell the corridor without legislative agreement to provide the company with legal protections from damages to commuters along the line.

 

Under the proposal, SunRail would be responsible for any commuter damages inside the rail corridor, regardless of who caused the accident. SunRail's responsibility for shielding CSX would be limited to $200 million, and the state would buy that amount of liability insurance.

 

The liability agreement has proved to be a major stumbling block for SunRail.

 

"You completely remove the incentive for avoiding negative behavior," said Sen. Ronda Storms, a Republican from Valrico who opposed the bill.

 

Senate committee chairman Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, was booed when he announced the committee would not vote Wednesday. He said he would not rush the vote and wanted to make sure everyone who wanted to speak had a chance.

 

Volusia County Chairman Frank Bruno said he anticipated a close vote.

 

"I guess the best thing I can tell you about today is the fact it's not over yet," Bruno said. "The debate continues, and we live to fight another day."

CLAIM: Opponents say the $308 million the federal government is supposed to provide isn't guaranteed.

FACT: There is no federal guarantee for SunRail. But U.S. Rep. John Mica, R- Winter Park, said the only thing standing between SunRail and the federal money is state approval.

"I just need 21 votes in the Senate," Mica said. He and U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, who chairs the House transportation subcommittee, both promise to obtain the money quickly.

Mica said the money will come in two allotments: $178 million to pay for SunRail's first phase, between DeBary in Volusia County and Sand Lake Road in south Orange County, to open in 2011.

CLAIM: Foes say if the federal money doesn't come, local governments will have to make it up.

FACT: Constantine has inserted language into the bill (SB 1212) saying no state or local money can be spent until the federal funds arrive.

CLAIM: Some foes, such as Sen. Gary Siplin, D-Orlando, say this money could be spent on schools.

FACT: That can't happen. All the money — which comes from gasoline taxes and other dedicated sources — can be spent only on transportation. Most of it won't even be collected for a few years; it's simply being allocated now.

For example, DOT officials said the $432 million payment to CSX to buy the SunRail tracks, improve other CSX tracks and move a rail yard to Winter Haven will come from basically two sources: $173 million in bonds that are not yet sold, and $259 million from gas and real-estate taxes that will be collected through 2016.

In a two-page finance sheet, DOT says it has only about $34 million in its current budget for the project. DOT will also spend $173 million (down from $214 million) to build bridges over five rail overpasses; two are done, and two are under construction. DOT says it would have to build these projects with or without the CSX deal. All are funded out of the agency's tax collections.

"I don't have that in cash yet," DOT Assistant Secretary Kevin Thibault said.

CLAIM: Supporters say the money being paid to CSX has been allocated to Central Florida's transportation district and can't be diverted to road projects elsewhere.

"Most of it is coming from District 5," Constantine told Senate Democrats on Tuesday.

FACT: Only a sliver of the funding — just $51 million of the $432 million being paid to CSX Corp. — is coming from District 5 dollars. An additional $380 million is from what the department calls its "strategic intermodal system" funding, comprising fuel taxes and documentary-stamp-tax revenues from real-estate sales. Those dollars could go anywhere in the state.

CLAIM: Opponents say that after lawmakers in 2005 allocated more than $1 billion to be used for "growth management" projects — either transit or road construction — DOT squirreled away that money and is using it to finance the CSX deal.

Dockery said she plans to show at today's hearing what DOT has done with that money.

FACT: Those growth-management dollars have been committed to transportation projects across the state, including SunRail; a $1.8 billion-and-growing Port of Miami Tunnel project; and a widening of Interstate 595 in Broward County. SunRail is the single largest beneficiary, but DOT couldn't say how much of that money was being devoted to SunRail.

"I'm paying for projects with it," Thibault said. "I have every dollar programmed [committed to projects]."

The potential for a major increase in business and jobs at Port Manatee is so attractive the County Commission passed a resolution supporting passage of the Senate measure on the rail project, SB 1212.

 

Port Manatee already holds significant promise for our future economic development. In March, the port debuted a giant $3.9 million crane that allows off-loading of cargo containers.

 

That addition alone puts the port in a prime position once work on the widening of the Panama Canal is complete in about seven years and larger ships can transit from the Pacific Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico. Port Manatee could be a big beneficiary of that since it’s the closest American port to the canal.

 

Container ships could drop their cargo here and ship it throughout the East Coast and beyond — by rail.

 

The Central Florida Commuter Rail Project, also known as SunRail, is the linchpin to greater rail access out of Port Manatee — and the boost in business.

 

The legislation calls for the state to pay the freight-hauling giant CSX Corp. for 61 miles of track from DeBary through downtown Orlando to Lakeland.

 

The state would also pay for improvements to freight routes and other upgrades. These infrastructure enhancements between Jacksonville and Tampa would ease the freight train bottleneck in Central Florida and allow a larger number of shipments to head north. That translates into business opportunities at Port Manatee — and thus the inspiration for the Manatee County Commission’s resolution.

 

We support this legislation as well.

 

The container trade continues to grow, even in this economy, and is expected to balloon by more than double by 2024, according to a Morgan Stanley study.

 

Many ports, including Tampa’s, are boxed in by urban development, contend with traffic congestion and would have difficulties adding ship berths. That’s not the case with Port Manatee.

 

Commissioners agreed late last month on a batch of incentives and tax relief measures to spur economic development, and Port Manatee is a major component.

 

With better access to rail, Port Manatee would rely less on trucks for distribution. That would ease traffic on our highways, another bonus, and unclog Interstate 4 through Orlando.

 

The $1.2 billion commuter rail project includes more than $300 million in federal funding, and fits into President Obama’s economic stimulus strategy of infrastructure construction.

 

Those federal dollars will be lost without the passage of this legislation, supported by Gov. Charlie Crist, and the state cannot afford to foot the bill alone.

 

But several major hurdles remain in the Senate, one a concern over the state taking on too much liability for train accidents and the other over Lakeland getting placed on the waiting list for future transportation spending.

 

Passenger trains are a proven winner in the state. South Florida’s commuter rail, Tri-Rail, saw a surge in popularity last year. The 4.3 million passengers in 2008 represents a 22.9 percent increase from 2007, the Miami Herald has reported.

 

With passage of SunRail, commuter trains in the Tampa Bay region have a stronger chance of coming on line. The state could be spared the expense of widening Interstate 75 and other roadway expansions.

 

We urge the Senate to resolve the outstanding issues and approve the Central Florida Commuter Rail Project. The economic development benefits to a major portion of the state — including Manatee County — are too great to pass up.

 

Sen. Chris Smith, R-Fort Lauderdale, said last week that he needed that amendment, which would dedicate the car rental revenue to local commuter train efforts, before he would vote for the plan. He said South Florida’s SunRail needs the guaranteed revenue to maintain operations. But the governor’s office and others said they would only support the plan if it were subject to voter approval.

 

In a classic Tallahassee compromise, the amendment tomorrow would allow county commissioners to approve the surcharge with a voter referendum to follow in the next general election.

 

Smith said on Tuesday that it appeared the change would be enough to earn his support at a seven-member committee on Wednesday. He was widely viewed as the deciding vote.

 

The Senate Transportation and Economic Development Committee will consider SB 1212 Wednesday morning. The bill provides the change in law that would create a “no fault” insurance agreement between CSX and the state, leaving each party solely responsible for damages incurred on their equipment, employees and passengers regardless who was at fault.

 

 

 

 

 

Entitled "Critical Moment for SunRail," the move is a standard tactic for trying to show senators ahead of an important vote that members of the public (or at least interest groups) are watching. The bill, SB 1212, is slated for a vote in the Senate Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee Wednesday. It's expected to be a close fight, as critics like Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, and backers on the panel like Sen. Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, battle for the swing votes of one or two co-workers.

 

Here's the letter that backers are being asked to forward on to the committee members:

SUBJECT: Pass SunRail, it's good for ALL of Florida!

 

Dear Senator: 
 
Commuter Rail is a critical fix for Florida, because it will create jobs and lower the cost of living by giving citizens a low cost environmentally friendly way to travel... we need it now!  
Without it,  Florida will lose an opportunity to gain new jobs, some estimate as many as 260,000, and $8.8 billion in economic benefits. Without it, Florida has a lower chance of being selected for federal funds for High Speed Rail.
Without it, Florida can not give its seniors and working citizens a lower cost clean transportation choice.
Without it, Florida will have difficulty reducing congestion and improving its air quality, and offering walkable healthy communities.
It is time to put politics aside and put working people and seniors first. I am counting on you to pass SB 1212 (HB7009). 
 
Sincerely,
(Your name)

 Federal funds talk

 

High-speed rail was considered a lost cause until the recent decision by the Obama administration to make $8 billion in federal tax dollars available for projects featuring trains capable of going more than 110 mph.

Chira and others think they could build the Orlando-Tampa route for about $2 billion. But they say federal officials also are looking for systems that link to other forms of transit, such as commuter rail, airports or buses.

 

'Out of their minds'

 

"They [federal transportation officials] would be out of their minds to consider high-speed rail without SunRail. That's as blunt as I can be," said County Mayor Rich Crotty, who has lobbied on behalf of SunRail.

The $1.2 billion project needs legislative approval for an insurance policy that, critics contend, would lay too much liability on the state and not enough on CSX Corp., which would sell its tracks for the commuter train but would continue to share use of those tracks.

Central Florida legislators say they do not have the 21 Senate votes needed for approval, leading to the dire prediction by Chira and Crotty. The session ends May 1.

 

'Connectivity' a slogan?

 

Chira, a former Orange County commissioner, encountered opposition to SunRail during a high-speed rail meeting last week in Tallahassee. Longtime high-speed enthusiast Doc Dockery was the sole vote against a resolution supporting SunRail; he resigned from the high-speed rail authority Monday.

Dockery, whose wife, Paula, is a Republican senator leading the charge against SunRail in the Senate, said the two systems should not be "mixed."

The "connectivity issue," Dockery told the Orlando Sentinel on Tuesday, is little more than a "catchphrase to promote SunRail."

 As it turns out, that's a myth that was debunked at a legislative hearing on Tuesday, the Orlando Sentinel reports. It seems that transportation officials use bonds, which means they only have to have a fraction of the project money in hard cash.

 

Meanwhile, Florida High Speed Rail Authority Chairman Lee Chira of Orlando said SunRail needs to be approved to make Florida's bid for high-speed rail more likely to be funded by federal officials because it would diversify Florida's transportation network, which earns points when the grants are handed out.

 

But as The Ledger reported today, the SunRail project's future is still uncertain in Tallahassee.

 

That hasn't stopped the lobbying. This week I received a circular from the Orlando faction criticizing a letter from the NAACP that opposed the SunRail project and included what I suppose are attempts to blunt the letter's impact that consisted of resolutions from African-American and Hispanic business groups in Central Florida supporting the project.

 

Expect to hear more about this topic when a presentation occurs at today's County Commission meeting.

So next Tuesday, he said, U.S. Reps. Kendrick Meek, D-Miami, Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer plan to meet with the Senate Democratic Caucus to try and massage concerns that the project is diverting money away from their hometown projects.

 

"It's going to be a full-court press," Lawson said. For his part, the veteran Tallahassee lawmaker says he still hasn't gotten any answers out of the Department of Transportation (neither have we, for that matter) about where exactly in the state's universe of trust funds and bank accounts it has socked away the $432 million it plans to pay CSX Corp. for the rail line.

 

“It’s a very confusing issue. It’s just one of those issues that’s very perplexing. No one can give you -- from DOT to the appropriations people -- where the money is. Did we set aside dollars? What is going on? It may be done intentionally, but it’s not supposed to be like this.”

 

The department has been saying for months it plans to pay CSX out of its five-year work program, with the exception of $173 million in transportation bonds it would sell. But it so far hasn't coughed up any more details. Lawson, for his part, says he's unconvinced and it all may be moot -- he claims Dockery has assured critics she has 26 votes in the 40-member Senate to kill the CSX insurance bill.

 

Dockery couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday.

Both sides of the Great Rail Debate have flubbed or fudged numbers over the last year.

 

The Florida Department of Transportation, for instance, omitted the growing $214 million cost of improving five overpasses along CSX tracks; Dockery claimed the real price tag of the project was $2.66 billion instead of $1.2 billion, once 30 years of operations costs were factored in (kinda like saying the cost of buying a new house should include three decades of air conditioning and cable bills).

 

It's enough to leave the casual observer and poorly paid journalist a little flummoxed. We’ll try to decode.

 

“Many of you have received correspondence relaying threats that Florida will forfeit its entitlements to federal transportation funding if it does not pass the enabling legislation for the CSX transaction," Dockery writes in the memo sent to senators and their staff.” This correspondence claims that ‘hundreds of millions of dollars’ in federal transportation funding is at stake and Florida’s entitlement to this funding is ‘in jeopardy’ to other states with competing projects.

 

“While it is true that Florida is in competition with other states for limited federal transportation dollars, it is untrue that Florida has any entitlement to federal funding in the amounts or the level of priority that we, as legislators, are being led to believe.”

 

She includes a list of questions she got answered by the FTA outlining the federal government’s commitment to funding $178 million in the first phase of the commuter rail project.

 

The $178 million referenced in the letter is the same figure Sen. Alex Villalobos, R-Miami, used Tuesday in an amendment to the budget to require that the state have that much federal funding in hand before it can buy the CSX tracks.

 

But that is the federal share for only the first “Initial Operating Segment” of the line – the 32-mile stretch from DeLand to Kissimmee slated to open first -- not the entire 61.5-mile route that's eventually planned.

 

"Once again, the Honorable Senator manipulates the facts to suit her argument,” says Russell Roberts, chief of staff to U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park.

 

Roberts said that the full 61.5-mile route is in its final design stage with the feds and has completed its environmental assessment. Florida broke its request into two pieces “to allow it to better compete against other projects around the country,” he added.  

 

The final agreement for funding for the first leg is due in October, and the second request to get the rest of the $307 million in federal money for the rail system would be made immediately after that. It will be up to Florida's congressional delegation to keep pressing the project in Washington.

 

MetroPlan Orlando Executive Director Harry Barley offered a concession to Dockery. “She’s correct: that money is not in our checking account. We’re still competing for those funds with other parts of the country,” he said.

 

That’s why U.S. Reps. Mica and Corrine Brown, D-Jacksonville, who both sit on the House Transportation Committee, have been so adamant about closing on the state’s end of the agreement with CSX – the insurance liability agreement that would split liability for rail accidents between CSX and the state – so they can cement the federal funding.

 

“We don’t have a project unless the deal is consummated with CSX.”

 

Meanwhile, Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamont Springs, and Gov. Charlie Crist huddled at the Governor’s Mansion for about half an hour last night to talk about the commuter rail project’s chances of passage over the last three weeks of session.

 

“He’s engaged. He’s on board. He understands what we have to do,” Constantine said.

 

Constantine called next Wednesday’s scheduled hearing of the commuter plan’s insurance deal before the state Senate Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee “the Red-Letter Day for SunRail.”

 

He plans to offer a strike-all for the CSX Corp. insurance plan that incorporates the language inserted in the Senate budget this week designed to convince anxious senators that the state wouldn’t start spending its money until the federal dollars were flowing, as well as demands from the city of Lakeland to address its freight train traffic.

 

But like last year, the biggest impediments will be Dockery, and the difficulty explaining the finer details of the federal-state-local transit project.

 

“Paula has the 15-second argument,” Constantine says. “We have the 15-minute argument.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SunRail is the spine of a regional rail network unanimously supported by elected officials in four of the state's most densely populated counties.

 

As legislators who care deeply about Florida's future, we cannot afford to ignore that reality.

 

- We cannot afford to turn our backs on more than 13,500 new construction and operations jobs and more than $1.5 billion worth of economic stimulus - the bulk of which our constituents could realize within months.

 

- We cannot afford to ignore more than 246,000 additional jobs with an estimated economic impact exceeding $7.3 billion that transit-oriented development around SunRail station stops is expected to generate. A new 9-mile rail line in Charlotte has generated more than $1.8 billion of economic impact for that city in just a year.

 

These are real dollars, real jobs.

 

That money and the associated tax revenues will help fund our schools, improve health care and support law enforcement. It will help us leverage even more federal dollars to support those vital programs. Killing SunRail will have the opposite effect.

 

Why? Because almost all of the state funding dedicated to SunRail comes from new-start transportation dollars and fixed guideway bonds that must be used for transportation projects. Are we really interested in putting a halt to all transportation projects, statewide? That's the precedent we'd be setting here.

 

What's more, the cash allocated to SunRail is not available today - it's programmed over five years. And it's a pittance compared to the long-term recurring revenues that SunRail promises to generate.

 

Certainly, we need to fund education and health care. But approving SunRail is key to making good on our promises.

 

As legislators, do we really want to turn our backs on more than $682 million in federal support earmarked for the SunRail project - money that the federal government will happily invest in another state eager to reap the jobs and economic benefits of rail transit?

 

Do we really want to torpedo any chance of federal funding for future rail connections in other parts of the state, most immediately in Tampa Bay and Jacksonville? SunRail is vital to Florida's future.

 

As legislators, it's time to put our state economy back on track.

 

SEN. LEE CONSTANTINE

Altamonte Springs

 

Senate Democrats added their voices to the project's opposition.

 

And SunRail backers lashed out at the Florida NAACP's president, saying she made "unfounded accusations" in a March 30 letter announcing the organization's opposition to the proposed commuter line.

 

SunRail is slated to connect DeLand and Poinciana -- if it makes it out of the Florida Legislature.

 

Florida NAACP president Adora Obi Nweze's "inflammatory letter is not based on the facts as we know them," according to a release from Jacob Stuart, president of the Central Florida Partnership, a business-based group lobbying for the project.

 

In her letter to state lawmakers, Florida NAACP president Adora Obi Nweze said Florida cannot afford SunRail's estimated cost of $2.7 billion over 30 years.

 

She criticized a proposed agreement in which the state would shield the rail line's current owner, CSX Transportation, from most liability for accidents, and said the deal would abolish railroad workers' jobs.

 

"The CSX transaction risks deeper cuts for the vital programs and services that our constituents rely so desperately upon," she wrote.

 

In his rebuttal, Stuart denied the project would risk deeper cuts to other programs.

 

"Here's the bottom line, SunRail means, jobs, jobs, and more jobs," Stuart wrote.

 

The SunRail plan calls for the state to buy the line from CSX, which would lease the tracks for freight.

 

Last year, the Senate refused to sign off on an arrangement protecting CSX.

 

And supporters -- who argue SunRail is a badly needed long-term investment -- face additional challenges during this year's legislative spring session.

 

Some lawmakers say they're reluctant to spend the money when the state faces shortfalls in crucial areas like education. Proponents say the money is earmarked in transportation funds that wouldn't go to other programs.

Sens. Paula Dockery, Nan Rich and other opponents of the rail project cried foul yesterday upon discovering language appearing deep in the Senate’s 366-page budget plan, authorizing the state to “complete an escrowed closing on the Central Florida Rail Corridor Acquisition.” Dockery, R-Lakeland, said she worried that the language created an opportunity to sidestep committee votes on the controversial liability issues surrounding the project. If the project appears in the budget, she warned, a budget implementing bill could be drafted to provide the no-fault liability that CSX is seeking.

 

Tuesday evening, Sen. Alex Villalobos offered an amendment explicitly requiring the Senate to vote on liability legislation in order to move forward with the project. The liability bill, from Sen. Lee Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs, currently faces an uncertain fate in the Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee.

 

The rail deal “is something that’s so big, there ought to be an up-or-down vote on it,” said Villalobos, R-Hialeah.

 

The committee accepted Villalobos’ amendment, in lieu of more extreme proposals from Senate Minority Leader Al Lawson to (a) strip out the language entirely or (b) re-direct all funding for the project to other parts of the budget.

 

Asked whether his amendment would absolutely prevent the Senate from trying to slip liability language into a budget conforming or implementing bill, Villalobos said no. “Technically, anything can happen until session is over,” he said – but he’ll be watching for any funny stuff. “I’ll try and find it.”

 

Ways and Means Chairman JD Alexander, a strong supporter of the CSX deal, said the language was never intended to side-step the committee process, where the liability bill faces an uncertain future. The language, which ties the escrowed closing funds to federal approval of a grant for the project, was intended only to prevent the use of state funds on the project before the federal funds were approved. It was never intended, he said, to provide a vehicle for moving the project along outside the normal committee process.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer also took exception today to comments made by two leading Democrats, both of whom reaffirmed their opposition to SunRail. The opponents are Democratic Senate Leader Al Lawson of Tallahassee and incoming Democratic Leader Nan Rich of Weston. They contend SunRail as too expensive and money set aside for it should be spent on education and healthcare. "This just makes sense," Lawson said. "How can you fund a railroad and not fund kids?" Dyer, a Democrat who served as Orlando's representative in the state Senate, said such arguments are not true. He points out that $300 million would come from the federal government, more than $170 million would come from the sale of bonds and another $150 million would come from local governments. Nearly $500 million, he said, is largely set aside within the local DOT district -- a priority set by area leaders. "We want our No. 1 priority to be SunRail. In terms of them taking that money, that's our money," Dyer said.

A records clerk at a downtown Orlando law firm, Gary has her workday commute from Deltona down to a science.

 

If she leaves home by 6:12 a.m. she will be on time.

 

A minute or two later, and she'll get behind a school bus and miss the Interstate 4 Express bus she takes from Orange City to Orlando.

 

Gary doesn't have much margin for error, but she said that's better than the alternative: driving back and forth on I-4.

 

"When I count up the cost of the wear and tear on my automobile, not just the wear and tear, but the stress from driving as well as the gasoline, that's a lot more than $80 a month (for a bus pass,)" Gary said one afternoon last week after getting off the 5:05 p.m. bus at the Saxon Boulevard Park and Ride lot.

 

“That's like $80 cubed."

 

Gary said she would be interested in using the proposed 61.5-mile SunRail connecting DeLand and Poinciana. How often the trains run and how much it costs to ride will be the keys for her and, she thinks, many others.

 

SunRail is no sure bet, though.

 

The price tag -- an estimated $2.7 billion over 30 years -- and arguments about who should pay for potential accidents on the line have stalled it in the Legislature.

 

And, while those quarrels have dominated SunRail's political track, critics, skeptics and even the Federal Transit Administration also have questioned the need for the system and how much it really would be used.

 

"The fact is, it's not a good project," Sen. Paula Dockery, a Lakeland Republican, said in an interview before the beginning of the legislative session. "It doesn't go to the airport. It doesn't go to Disney. It doesn't go to I-Drive (International Drive)."

 

SunRail administrators and proponents say the critics have it wrong.

 

If anything, projected ridership has been underestimated, they say, and SunRail has solid plans for its growth down the line.

 

Ridership has been projected at 4,300 passenger trips daily in the first year -- 2011 -- and 7,400 by 2030 for the first phase, a link between DeBary to Orlando.

 

Daily boardings in DeBary are expected to hit 250 over the period, according to a DOT estimate.  Such numbers have prompted critics such as Dockery to hammer the project for exorbitant per-rider costs. But proponents say every public-transit system is heavily subsidized, and SunRail administrators say federal restraints drove ridership estimates below what they actually expect.

 

Their numbers -- submitted to the Federal Transit Administration in 2007 -- were based on approved land uses and densities that are several years old, said Tawny Olore, the DOT's SunRail project manager.

 

They also assume that people will drive no more than 10 miles to get to outer stations such as those proposed for DeBary and DeLand and no more than one mile in urban areas.

 

"What happens is, it restricts our ridership, and it restricts it as much as 20 (percent) or 30 percent," Olore said.

 

Opening-year ridership projections were at least 20 percent lower than the actual numbers for light-rail systems in Dallas, Salt Lake City and Charlotte, according to the DOT.

 

Though light-rail systems operate differently than commuter-rail systems, Olore said SunRail would operate much like light rail in its urban and suburban segments.

 

While they're limited, plans for feeder bus service to be provided by Votran, Volusia County's public-transit provider, and Lynx, the provider for metropolitan Orlando, also could help ridership more than estimated, officials say.

 

Votran is planning three routes serving the proposed station at Fort Florida Road in DeBary. Express routes would connect the station to the main Votran transfer location in Deltona and a location near Woodland Plaza in DeLand. The existing DeBary route would be extended to connect with the SunRail station.

 

Plans for service to the proposed SunRail stop at the Amtrak station west of downtown DeLand haven't been finalized, Votran General Manager Lois Bollenback said. Votran also has explored links with East Volusia, should the demand exist.

 

It's true that lengthy bus connections wouldn't be effective for every commuter, Bollenback said.

 

"You're not trying to get everybody. You're trying to get some people," Bollenback said. "You're trying to create that opportunity for some people who will make that choice."

 

SunRail proponents also point to proposals for "transit-oriented development" near stations as a way to boost ridership while also using the line to promote economic development.

 

In Volusia County, at least, those proposals have some way to go.

 

Discussions about making land-use changes to promote as much as 1 million square feet of retail, hotel and office space within a quarter-mile of the DeLand area station haven't been well-received by some in downtown DeLand.

 

"Right now, what's in that proposal is almost on steroids," said DeLand Mayor Bob Apgar, who also said he supports SunRail and the idea of doing some type of development near the station. "To have it become a regional mall out there, that's not good for downtown DeLand."

 

Regardless of its obstacles, public-transit use is up nationally.

 

And its advocates say lawmakers and residents should consider the big picture: population growth, clogged roadways, rising energy costs and environmental degradation.

 

For longtime I-4 bus commuter Peggi Andrade, SunRail is long past-due.

 

To work, it needs to be reliable and cost-effective for passengers, and it needs to move people when they need to be moved, she said.

 

"I think it needs to happen," said Andrade, who lives in Sorrento in Lake County. "I think it's a disgrace that Florida with the population isn't better with public transportation than they are."

 

4,300 - Projected daily passengers, DeBary to Orlando, in 2011

7,400 - Projected daily passengers, DeBary to Orlando, in 2030

30 - Minutes between train runs during peak weekday hours, 5:30-8:30 a.m. and 3:30-6:30 p.m.

45 mph - Average speed

$4 - Proposed cost per trip from Volusia to Orlando

 

Dyer points out that a decade ago, federal money set aside for a local light rail system instead went to Charlotte, N.C., when Orange County commissioners nixed the project.

 

"Ten years ago, Central Florida missed out on the chance to create a rail line," Dyer wrote. "The money went to Charlotte where the rail line has reshaped their entire region for the better and helped bolster their state economy."

 

SunRail is currently held up in the Senate's Transportation and Economic Development Committee. If it makes it to a floor vote, supporters need 21 senators on their side.

 

If they don't get it, areas in line for the funding include subway tunnels between New Jersey and New York, as well as San Francisco, Sacramento and Minneapolis. To read a memo to U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, about the funding, click here.

 Atwater is believed to be generally supportive of the train, but has not pushed for any votes. He also is believed to be the one who had SunRail pulled from a Senate committee hearing this week because he is not convinced that Lakeland's concerns about the train are being properly addressed. A call to Atwater was not returned Monday.

 

Lakeland Sen. Paula Dockery opposes the train because she maintains it is a bad financial deal and could reroute too many freight trains through her community to avoid sharing a line with SunRail. A copy of the letter follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Volusia County Chairman Frank Bruno answered that question today during his annual State of the County address.

 

"This is the fourth year I have delivered the State of the County Address to you, the citizens of Volusia County. Each time, I have told you that we are in great shape -- we’ve made sound financial decisions, increased our efficiency in the delivery of county services and made solid progress on many of our goals.  This year is no different. Volusia County is strong as an organization, and as a community," Bruno said.

 

Right off the top of his remarks, Bruno touted the importance of the commuter rail system.

 

"Our decision to finance the Central Florida Commuter Rail system linking DeLand and Orlando was unprecedented. This project is a partnership effort between Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties, as well as the City of Orlando and the state and federal governments. It will take thousands of cars off the highways while providing cost effective transportation to our citizens," Bruno said.

 

Bruno delivered his remarks at the Ocean Center, on North Atlantic Avenue.

The Haines City Economic Development Council passed a resolution in favor of the proposed commuter rail through Central Florida. It asked that the Florida Department of Transportation 'consider negotiating for the approximately 15.5 miles of additional distance for connection to Haines City and Northeast Polk County,' beyond the rail line's proposed end near Poinciana.

 

The Central Florida Development Council and the East Polk Committee of 100 followed suit, issuing official statements advocating for continuing the rail line farther into Polk County. The two supporting statements are identical.

 

'Our concept was, Haines City would like to continue (the rail) through Polk County. We're supporting the Haines City Economic Development Council resolution,' said Jack Barnhart, executive director of the East Polk Committee of 100.

 

Haines City controls about 20 acres of rail right-of-way that could be used for public parking, the resolutions state. The city also owns a 2.5-mile rail spur that the resolutions say could be used to turn around trains. They also state that a Haines City stop would bring the line closer to Interstate 4, and would mean more riders in the near future, rather than waiting for ridership to build over the course of 10 to 15 years.

 

'In concept, we agree that the commuter rail shouldn't end over in Poinciana,' said David Touchton, chairman of the Central Florida Development Council. 'It's all part of a transportation plan to build connectivity to the rest of Florida. I think it will encourage people to move to Polk County.'

 

The original resolution from the Haines City Development Council suggests that traffic congestion along I-4 could be eased by extending the rail through Haines City, and that Polk County and Haines City would agree to submit to FDOT decisions about the rail for seven years. It says that Orange, Seminole, Volusia and Osceola counties, as well as the city of Orlando, already have agreed to the same deal.

 The SunRail Rally, held Wednesday, March 18, was hosted by the Honorary Chair of the 2009 Capitol Connection, State Senator Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando). Gardiner, along with Senator Lee Constantine (R-Altamonte Springs) and Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission Chair and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, accepted the eight resolutions strongly encouraging the passage of the economic development and job creation measure. 

 

“This is historic to have these Central Florida chambers, which represent large and small business, civic and community organizations, and everyday people who understand if we are to remain competitive on the economic front, we must pass commuter rail,” said Senator Andy Gardiner.  “SunRail is not just about moving people, but about jump-starting Florida’s economy.”

 

“Once legislators grant SunRail the same insurance authorization that not only Tri-Rail enjoys today, but also the vast majority of the commuter lines across the country, then we may begin putting thousands of Floridians to work,” said Mayor Buddy Dyer, Chair of the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission.

Senate sponsor Lee Constantine reported that “SunRail will boost the economy, protect the environment and help meet Florida's transportation needs. The day this passes, we will be able to bring thousands of desperately needed jobs to Floridians.”

 

Senate Bill 1212 has passed out of two Senate Committees (Transportation and Judiciary), and is now headed to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations.  The SunRail resolutions of support were presented by:

 

Paul Seago, Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce

Maritza Martinez, East Orlando Chamber of Commerce

Gaby Ortigoni, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando

Leslie Hielema, Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce

Cory Skeates, Oviedo – Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce

John Ashworth, Seminole County Regional Chamber of Commerce

Stina D’Uva, West Orange Chamber of Commerce

Patrick Chapin, Winter Park Chamber of Commerce

 

For a copy of all 8 resolutions, please click here:

 

 The SunRail Rally, held Wednesday, March 18, was hosted by the Honorary Chair of the 2009 Capitol Connection, State Senator Andy Gardiner (R-Orlando). Gardiner, along with Senator Lee Constantine (R-Altamonte Springs) and Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission Chair and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, accepted the eight resolutions strongly encouraging the passage of the economic development and job creation measure. 

 

“This is historic to have these Central Florida chambers, which represent large and small business, civic and community organizations, and everyday people who understand if we are to remain competitive on the economic front, we must pass commuter rail,” said Senator Andy Gardiner.  “SunRail is not just about moving people, but about jump-starting Florida’s economy.”

 

“Once legislators grant SunRail the same insurance authorization that not only Tri-Rail enjoys today, but also the vast majority of the commuter lines across the country, then we may begin putting thousands of Floridians to work,” said Mayor Buddy Dyer, Chair of the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission.

Senate sponsor Lee Constantine reported that “SunRail will boost the economy, protect the environment and help meet Florida's transportation needs. The day this passes, we will be able to bring thousands of desperately needed jobs to Floridians.”

 

Senate Bill 1212 has passed out of two Senate Committees (Transportation and Judiciary), and is now headed to the Senate Committee on Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations.  The SunRail resolutions of support were presented by:

 

Paul Seago, Apopka Area Chamber of Commerce

Maritza Martinez, East Orlando Chamber of Commerce

Gaby Ortigoni, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orlando

Leslie Hielema, Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce

Cory Skeates, Oviedo – Winter Springs Regional Chamber of Commerce

John Ashworth, Seminole County Regional Chamber of Commerce

Stina D’Uva, West Orange Chamber of Commerce

Patrick Chapin, Winter Park Chamber of Commerce 

 Noise enough to boost the Central Florida economy with a $1.2 billion commuter project that could generate over 11,000 jobs?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Supporters and opponents of a plan to build the SunRail system in Volusia and three other counties are battling to win the votes of a majority of the 40-member Florida Senate -- the graveyard for a commuter-rail bill last year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The state Department of Transportation spent nearly $300,000 on polling, focus groups and a naming contest, giving what was once known as the "CSX bill" — because of a lofty payout to the Jacksonville railroad giant — the new name SunRail and a colorful logo.

 

That's not the only new tack for the 61-mile, $1.2 billion project, which has Gov. Charlie Crist aboard.

 

It's a "desperate economic stimulus" to Florida, said Sen. Lee Constantine, author of the rail bill (SB1212), before it passed its first Senate committee by a 6-3 vote Wednesday.

 

"This is not last year's commuter bill," said Constantine, R-Altamonte Springs.

 

Some of the old arguments remain. Supporters say it would unclog Interstate 4 and could lead to places like Tampa Bay building commuter systems too. South Florida already has commuter rail, Tri-Rail.

 

"It's always been about creating passenger rail in Central Florida," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, a leading advocate for the project.

 

But critics, led by Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, say a new name doesn't change the fact that it's a bad deal for Florida, shifting the company's liability on taxpayers. She failed to pass 11 amendments meant to change the project but promised a fight as the rest of the Senate weighs in.

 

Besides paying CSX $150 million for 61 miles of rail, the state agreed in 2006 to pay to improve freight routes and make related upgrades worth nearly $500 million. Freight traffic could increase in Lakeland and other cities, including Dade City — a problem to Dockery and other critics.

 

The bills in the Senate and House — where a similar bill is expected to be approved by the full House — also keeps CSX from being liable for damages to a commuter train if a CSX train crashes into it. CSX wanted the no-fault pledge to sell the property.

 

"You brand it, you bring in all the people who agree — but even in the people in the various counties, do they really know what their financial liability is going to be?" said Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, who voted against the bill.

 

Much of the fight is still expected in the Senate. Sen. Dennis Jones, R-Treasure Island, said he opposed the project last year and still worries about spending so much money when the state has a drastic budget shortfall.

 

However, a key measure that poisoned its chances in the Senate last year is gone. In 2008, trial lawyers fought the bill because it granted businesses immunity from lawsuits and capped fees and damages. That measure — and the trial lawyers' opposition — is gone, threatening the coalition that scuttled the project.

 

Sen. Larcenia Bullard, D-Miami, put the Senate in a standstill last year partly over lawmakers trying to tack the commuter rail measure into her highway bill.

 

This year? Bullard voted for the bill Wednesday because the immunity protection was gone.

 

"You certainly presented a great argument here," Bullard told transportation officials.

City Manager Randy Knight recently sent out a memo announcing to city staff to expect more money, thanks to an appropriations bill that had been overdue. 

 

The $950,000 in federal money is part of a $26 million funding package that the Winter Park City Commission had hoped for since October of last year. 

 

That funding bill stalled due to the election and some controversial issues, Mica said. 

 

But with the extra money heading Winter Park's way, the city is one step closer to converting its current Amtrak rail station into a commuter rail station, which would link up with the proposed 61-mile SunRail system. 

 

"I was actually pretty surprised the [federal government] had given them that much," Mica said of the extra rail station funding. Mica had expected a lower offer, but said the funding was near what the city had originally asked for. 

 

Winter Park City Engineer Don Marcotte said this funding would be in addition to $3 million the city already had secured to help bring a commuter rail stop to its Central Park. 

 

The additional money was asked for to help renovate the existing rail station to adapt it for commuter rail use.

 

"Winter Park is anxious about the cost of the stop," Mica said. "It's an old location, and it's in a part of the community that they want to preserve." 

 

That downtown location is key, Mica said, due to the SunRail system's potential impact on vehicle traffic in the area. He cited a University of Central Florida survey of Winter Park area commuters.

 

"They talked to thousands of people, and about half said they'd take commuter rail," Mica said. "About 750 to 1,000 cars would have been eliminated from the streets and parking garages. If you can take half the people who work in Winter Park and let them leave their car at home, it frees up a lot of the downtown area for people who want to come and shop." 

 

Of the larger $26 million appropriation for the SunRail system, more than $2 million would be used to improve bus service to the train stations. 

 

Mica stressed that the money is coming from a transportation appropriations bill, not part of the nearly $800 billion stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama. 

 

"This was a no-brainer for me," Mica said. "If you look at the positive impact on the community, it's got some real benefit to the quality of life."