Recent News Articles
In Lakeland, Cooperate on Regional Rail
I'd like to take this opportunity to reaffirm the Lakeland Area Chamber Commerce's position to our members and the citizens of our community on the issues surrounding the Central Florida Commuter Rail legislation, CSX and increased freight traffic through our city. Our work on the CSX issue began in 2006. The Lakeland Area Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Lakeland, the...
Florida should get started now on commuter rail
We need to view transit projects for what they are — investments in our future. The Tampa Bay Partnership supports SunRail as the start of a statewide transit system and the catalyst that will accelerate our transit plans in Tampa Bay. From an economic point of view, we feel strongly that investing in projects such as SunRail is exactly what our government should be spending money on to...
SunRail: Time to lead
If SunRail doesn't pass the Legislature, it won't be because of the traps laid for it by Lakeland Sen. Paula Dockery. Or the short-sightedness driving some special interests, like the unions. Or even, perhaps, the betrayal of Orlando Sen. Gary Siplin. His opposition to it sold out those who'd benefit most from the passenger line -- Mr. Siplin's constituents in Orange and Osceola counties....
SunRail project remains on track
TALLAHASSEE -- The proposed SunRail commuter system connecting DeLand and metropolitan Orlando narrowly cleared a key Senate committee Monday, moving the project a stop closer to what is almost certain to be a contentious debate before the full Senate. The bill required to make the 61.5-mile rail system a reality got support from four of seven Senate transportation appropriations committee...
Crist sends a signal on SunRail
TALLAHASSEE -- It won't go down as a glaring example of executive-branch interloping into the business of the Legislature, but Gov. Charlie Crist has issued a rare public urging for the full Senate to take up the SunRail insurance bill that cleared a crucial committee stop Monday. “I applaud Chairman Mike Fasano, Senators Andy Gardiner, Chris Smith, Alex Diaz de la Portilla and the...
What we think: Florida needs SunRail
SunRail's environmentally responsible; costs a lot less than building a new highway lane; and is guaranteed to help lift the economy. It's one of the best things to hit the state in years. But – this is Florida, remember – the passenger train's virtues aren't keeping it from getting booted around in Tallahassee. That's because while SunRail promises commuters an...
How legislators and governor can be incredibly dumb
Florida's elected officials over the years have made several incredibly smart moves for the state's future, like tightening education standards and buying up lots of environmental land. But this legislative session they could end up making some incredibly dumb moves. Here are just two of them. Incredibly dumb move No. 1: Giving up not only commuter rail but high-speed rail at the same...
Legislators still have opportunity with SunRail to make transit work
Watching the debate in Tallahassee over SunRail is like watching a rerun of the same episode of an old TV show for 20 years. Arguments about cost, ridership and our all-consuming love of our automobiles are the same ones used against the Tampa Rail plan in 1998 and Orange County plan in 1999 and were a big part of the High Speed Rail debate in 2004. Our state has spent millions of...
SunRail debate continues
TALLAHASSEE -- The proposed Central Florida SunRail commuter system stalled in a crucial Senate committee Wednesday with lawmakers running out of time before finishing their debate and hearing from more than 70 people who showed up to speak. The bill supporting SunRail -- which is slated to link DeLand and Poinciana in Osceola County -- was scheduled to come back before the Senate's...
Crist on SunRail: "I’d keep the faith, and I wouldn’t give up hope yet."
The last time Gov. Charlie Crist took the stage on behalf of SunRail, Central Florida's proposed $1.2-billion commuter-rail project, he was unequivocal in his support. "Who could be against SunRail?" Crist asked, standing in front of a display of the project's new logo. But that was in February. And in the two-and-one-half months since then, Crist hasn't had a lot to...
