Posted on 05/01/2009 6:25:24 AM PDT by Roos_Girl
TALLAHASSEE - The SunRail commuter train derailed on the Senate floor Thursday, likely ending Central Florida's five-year quest for the $1.2 billion project.
Despite lobbying that continued almost unabated throughout the day, an amendment that would have approved a $200 million insurance policy for SunRail was defeated by a 23-17 vote. A second amendment was pulled without a vote.
SunRail proponents could try to bring up the measure again today — the last day of the regular session — but its chances of success are low because it would take 27 votes to do so.
"It'll take some maneuvering to get it done. I think the forces of evil have won," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.
(Excerpt) Read more at orlandosentinel.com ...
Constantine tried to curry their favor by offering them a $2-a-day surcharge on rental cars. The money it would generate, estimated at $50million over an 18-month period, would help offset operating losses of the Tri-Rail commuter train that parallels Interstate 95 in Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties.
Referring to Lee Constantine,(R) offering a tax hike to Dems if they'd vote for this SunRail deal and how the extra tax could help cover the Tri-Rail commuter train's losses.
I wonder what tax would be levied in the futre to cover the SunRail commuter train's losses?
” I think the forces of evil have won,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.”
“Buddy” is not your buddy.
Had he succeeded, Dyer and his “Dark Side” buddies would have given us and our children a financial future most “Dire”.
I am upset that Carey Baker voted for this.
When I lived in Boca, I took the TriRail a few times.
As an adult white male, I, of course, paid the full fare.
I remember trying to comprehend the Fare Tables (I do have a MBA!).
What I gleaned from that was that the elderly, the disabled, all students, the poor and probably a few other selected groups paid nothing or very, very little.
Just before I left Boca, I remember the experts said the bus lines feeding the TriRail must be tremendously increased.
I knew that would just increase the Operating Loss.
Just think of what the bottom line might be if everyone paid the full share!
I know, I know...that racialist, evil and mean spirited.
Opposition to SunRail really comes from two places. The first is the Lakeland/Tampa/St Pete lobby that wants the state to build them a commuter system there instead of in Orlando. The second sourse is the trial lawyer lobby. They object to the liability arrangement should an accident occur between a commuter train and a CSX freight train (freight trains will be run occasionally on the line). CSX wants an arrangement similar to the one it has with Amtrak. CSX will not accept more liability than it currently has.
We in Pascoe County say...YEAH!
We would have paid for it, like everyone else in Florida, and we would never even see it.
I have no problem with a commuter rail system, in principal. I think anyone who has driven I-4 on a regular basis would agree that we’ve got to come up with some alternative. But when Tri-Rail can’t pull its own weight and has been running for years and years without being able to do so, I question the intelligence of pushing another commuter rail system that likely will run the same way.
Oh, and anything Corrine Brown is involved with, well.... I probably don’t need to finish that thought.
That anybody could bring them self to vote for such a ‘project’ stimulates my gag reflex.
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