Florida High-Speed Rail
Posted: February 03, 2010, 2:19 AM
By Gary Reese
Florida Insider
February 1, 2010 —
Talk of high-speed rail systems is usually couched in lofty talk about the distant future. But Florida’s apparently genuine commitment to the development of a “rail culture” of bullet commuter trains and the development that goes with it may have finally happened because of the temporary economic downturn.
A Florida delegation of state and federal lawmakers was told in Washington last fall that Tallahassee had to show financial support for rail if the federal government was going to chip in with significant dollars of its own. That meant getting the Republican-dominated legislature to commit to more and better rail in a high-profile special legislative session in December. The risk of forfeiting the federal largesse may not have been enough to persuade GOP legislators to pony up state money. After all, they rejected such a commitment in both 2008 and 2009. And this year, the same Republicans are drawing the wrath of Tea-Partiers, who vow to unseat those in the GOP who supported more rail. FULL STORY
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By Gary Reese
Florida Insider
February 1, 2010 —
Talk of high-speed rail systems is usually couched in lofty talk about the distant future. But Florida’s apparently genuine commitment to the development of a “rail culture” of bullet commuter trains and the development that goes with it may have finally happened because of the temporary economic downturn.
A Florida delegation of state and federal lawmakers was told in Washington last fall that Tallahassee had to show financial support for rail if the federal government was going to chip in with significant dollars of its own. That meant getting the Republican-dominated legislature to commit to more and better rail in a high-profile special legislative session in December. The risk of forfeiting the federal largesse may not have been enough to persuade GOP legislators to pony up state money. After all, they rejected such a commitment in both 2008 and 2009. And this year, the same Republicans are drawing the wrath of Tea-Partiers, who vow to unseat those in the GOP who supported more rail. FULL STORY
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Posted: January 07, 2010, 6:51 PM
By TED JACKOVICS
tjackovics@tampatrib.com
Published: January 7, 2010
TAMPA - U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor told President Barack Obama in a letter this week that Florida needs the jobs and economic investments high-speed rail can provide more than any other state.
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By TED JACKOVICS
tjackovics@tampatrib.com
Published: January 7, 2010
TAMPA - U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor told President Barack Obama in a letter this week that Florida needs the jobs and economic investments high-speed rail can provide more than any other state.
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Posted: December 09, 2009, 8:44 PM
MiamiHerald.com Dec. 9, 2009
BY STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
TALLAHASSEE -- A bill to help Florida rail projects and possibly help the state attract federal stimulus money for a high-speed line passed the Senate on Tuesday and headed to the governor's desk.
Full Story
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MiamiHerald.com Dec. 9, 2009
BY STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS
TALLAHASSEE -- A bill to help Florida rail projects and possibly help the state attract federal stimulus money for a high-speed line passed the Senate on Tuesday and headed to the governor's desk.
Full Story
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Posted: December 01, 2009, 7:41 AM
By Dan Tracy and Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel
6:05 p.m. EST, November 30, 2009
TALLAHASSEE - - Florida legislative leaders on Monday agreed to call a special legislative session this week to pave the way for the $1.2 billion SunRail commuter train system along with the long-debated high-speed rail project that could eventually link the state's largest population centers. Click here for full article
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By Dan Tracy and Aaron Deslatte Orlando Sentinel
6:05 p.m. EST, November 30, 2009
TALLAHASSEE - - Florida legislative leaders on Monday agreed to call a special legislative session this week to pave the way for the $1.2 billion SunRail commuter train system along with the long-debated high-speed rail project that could eventually link the state's largest population centers. Click here for full article
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Posted: November 30, 2009, 1:35 AM
Tallahassee.com
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.
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Tallahassee.com
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.
read more
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Posted: November 24, 2009, 10:48 PM
By Marc Caputo, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau
In Print: Tuesday, November 24, 2009
A special lawmaking session on high-speed and commuter rail inched closer Monday as legislative leaders and the governor said they were ready to tap surplus money in the transportation budget rather than raise taxes on rental cars to help pay for the transit projects. Full Text
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By Marc Caputo, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau
In Print: Tuesday, November 24, 2009
A special lawmaking session on high-speed and commuter rail inched closer Monday as legislative leaders and the governor said they were ready to tap surplus money in the transportation budget rather than raise taxes on rental cars to help pay for the transit projects. Full Text
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Posted: November 06, 2009, 8:54 PM
By CATHERINE DOLINSKI
cdolinski@tampatrib.com
Published: November 6, 2009
TALLAHASSEE - SunRail backers in the state Senate continue to press for a special session to jumpstart the Central Florida commuter rail project. Full Story
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By CATHERINE DOLINSKI
cdolinski@tampatrib.com
Published: November 6, 2009
TALLAHASSEE - SunRail backers in the state Senate continue to press for a special session to jumpstart the Central Florida commuter rail project. Full Story
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Posted: October 26, 2009, 8:59 PM
HearoldTribune.com
Published: Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, October 23, 2009 at 5:26 p.m.
The chance to accelerate the development of high-speed rail in Florida is about to leave the station, but the Legislature might catch it if it hurries. Full Story
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HearoldTribune.com
Published: Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 1:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Friday, October 23, 2009 at 5:26 p.m.
The chance to accelerate the development of high-speed rail in Florida is about to leave the station, but the Legislature might catch it if it hurries. Full Story
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Posted: October 22, 2009, 1:31 AM
Backers of the existing South Florida commuter train Tri-Rail may be hoping a proposed special session to deal with rail issues will give them an opportunity to get financial assistance from the state for the beleaguered system, but Gov. Charlie Crist said Tuesday that he wasn’t sure the train would be included on such an agenda. Full Story
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Backers of the existing South Florida commuter train Tri-Rail may be hoping a proposed special session to deal with rail issues will give them an opportunity to get financial assistance from the state for the beleaguered system, but Gov. Charlie Crist said Tuesday that he wasn’t sure the train would be included on such an agenda. Full Story
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Posted: October 13, 2009, 1:42 AM
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board
October 12, 2009
The state's high hopes for reviving high-speed rail last week received a reality check — and thankfully so — from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. LaHood warned commuter rail enthusiasts in Orlando that Florida probably won't get any stimulus money for new rail projects. Full Story
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Sun Sentinel Editorial Board
October 12, 2009
The state's high hopes for reviving high-speed rail last week received a reality check — and thankfully so — from U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood. LaHood warned commuter rail enthusiasts in Orlando that Florida probably won't get any stimulus money for new rail projects. Full Story
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