House votes to create central Fla. commuter rail system linked to federal high-speed money

Fla. House passes commuter high-speed rail bill

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Legislation that would clear the way for creating a commuter rail system in central Florida zipped through the House on Monday, but it was headed for an uncertain fate in the Senate.

It also includes an increase in the state’s subsidy for the existing Tri-Rail commuter system in South Florida and sets up two agencies to plan and build future passenger rail systems of all types across Florida.

Supporters argued that Florida cannot hope to qualify for $2.6 billion in federal stimulus money to also build a high-speed rail line between Orlando and Tampa — with a possible future extension to Miami — unless the SunRail system is established in the Orlando area.

The bill (HB 1B) passed on a bipartisan 84-25 roll call as the sole subject of a special legislative session.

Similar legislation has twice failed in the Senate and a close vote is likely. One supporter, Sen. Larcenia Bullard, D-Miami, is recovering from a heart attack and probably will miss the vote expected Wednesday.

The Senate Transportation Committee later Monday approved the bill on a 5-4 vote. Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, cast the deciding vote. Senate President Jeff Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, added Fasano to the committee last week after Bullard, also a member of the panel, was hospitalized.

Gov. Charlie Crist, a strong supporter of the legislation, was meeting with senators to try to win their votes.

“I never described it as arm-twisting — encouraging, encouragement,” Crist said. “I’m right in the middle of it, absolutely. This is the third time we’ve tried this and I believe the third time will be the charm. Florida needs the jobs.”

Sen. Jeremy Ring, the Senate sponsor, said talks were continuing in an effort to reach a compromise with labor unions that oppose the legislation. They fear it would result in the replacement of union workers with nonunion employees as public passenger rail systems acquire tracks from private railroads.

“With the unions it’ll be a lot easier,” said Ring, D-Margate. “Without the unions it’s close, but I think we can pull it off.”

The House sponsor, Rep. Gary Aubuchon, said the bill would create thousands of jobs, reduce highway congestion, stimulate business and help the state manage growth by concentrating new development along rail lines.

“At the end of the day this isn’t about rail,” said the Cape Coral Republican. “This is about transforming Florida’s future.”

Opponents argued SunRail will be a costly boondoggle, starting with $432 million the state would pay to freight hauler CSX for 61.5 miles of track.

“CSX gets another sweet deal,” said Rep. Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach. “The appraised value of the land that Florida will purchase is much, much higher than it’s worth.”

Aubuchon defended appraisals that range from $430 million to $438 million. He said the cost is high because the rails run through some of the world’s most valuable real estate. CSX would continue to use the track under the proposed deal.

Conservative groups, including the Florida Tea Party, held a news conference with Sen. Paula Dockery, who’s also seeking the Republican nomination for governor, to denounce the legislation.

Dockery began fighting SunRail years ago because it would divert freight trains through Lakeland, her hometown.

Besides cost, Dockery said the promise of jobs was “a pipe dream” and argued a liability provision would still leave taxpayers on the hook for accidents involving CSX trains on SunRail’s tracks.

She also predicted SunRail would be a money-loser like Tri-Rail, noting it wouldn’t serve Orlando’s airport, Disney World and other popular tourist spots.

“Have we learned nothing from Tri-Rail?” Dockery asked. “If the public doesn’t want it, and if we can’t afford it and if we already have a system that is losing money, then why are we here in a special session to discuss rail?”

SunRail is expected to cost $2.66 billion over 30 years with the state, federal and local governments each contributing $775 million and the rest coming from fares.

Aubuchon said it would cost less than adding a single lane of interstate highway along the SunRail route.

Starting in 2014 the bill would divert $60 million a year to rail projects from other transportation spending. It also would provide up to $15 million more each year for the Tri-Rail system besides the $27 million the state already spends to prop up that financially troubled line.

“If this doesn’t pass there is no Tri-Rail,” said Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando. ___

Associated Press writers Brendan Farrington and Brent Kallestad in Tallahassee contributed to this report.