In this time of tough budgetary decisions for municipal and state leaders, Florida Senate president Jeff Atwater, House Speaker Larry Cretul and Gov. Charlie Crist have shown political courage and foresight.
The decision appears to have been made to call a special session of the Florida Legislature in December to address some important future transportation needs.
More specifically, the state will spend the necessary $100,000 a day to take a proactive approach on a commuter rail proposal that Atwater says is key to the state nailing down $2.6 billion in federal stimulus money for a high-speed line between Tampa and Orlando.
His reasoning is based on information gained in a meeting with Florida Sens. George Lemieux and Bill Nelson, who recently met with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. On a recent visit to Orlando, LaHood said it’s time for Florida to step up and start getting serious about rail.
As is the case in most political deals, there is a tradeoff. For Florida to be actively considered for part of the $8 billion in federal high-speed rail money available, it must present an impressive application to federal transportation officials, which will require a commitment to fund SunRail, a proposed 61-mile commuter line from DeLand to downtown Orlando and Poinciana in Osceola County. It also will be contingent on the state improving the finances of Tri-Rail, a 20-year-old south Florida commuter rail system.
Reportedly, Atwater will seek a $2 surcharge on rental cars to fund the effort.
The SunRail project is nothing new for legislators to consider. Twice in the past the Senate has derailed the concept but many believe the trend will be reversed during a special session.
To say that it’s critical for Florida lawmakers to pass a rail package would be an understatement.
Why? Florida is not alone in its quest for stimulus dollars. Federal officials have received 45 applications from 24 states totaling $50 billion.
It’s a highly competitive process but one that will likely be won if state leaders can agree on a funding package for SunRail and Tri-Rail.
Such a decision will have far-reaching implications on the state and will impact us here in the Tampa Bay area.
Officials with the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority say passengers would use high-speed rail to come to Tampa and use TBARTA’s network to visit other points in the area.
Likewise, TBARTA officials contend, Tampa Bay residents wanting to use the high-speed rail system, can use local commuter train and express bus transportation to reach the debarkation point in Tampa.
Although it is many years before much of these concepts will be implemented, it is important for the future growth of Florida and the ability for the state to recruit high-paying employers.
