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Fate of state's high-speed rail project depends on special session
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.
