Special session update
by Dara Kam | November 30th, 2009A special session dealing with commuter rail is likely to begin Thursday at 9 a.m., according to an e-mail sent by Senate President Jeff Atwater to his members.
The proposed legislation would approve the purchase of track for the controversial Central Florida SunRail commuter rail project and would establish permanent funding sources for Tri-Rail and other rail systems.
The money for Tri-Rail would come from fuel taxes and other fees that pay for transportation projects. Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties where Tri-Rail runs would continue to contribute.
Money for SunRail and other railroad projects would come from real estate sales in the future if the legislation is approved.
The draft bill also fixes a problem that held up SunRail during the last legislative session dealing with liability.
State transportation officials have already signed off on a deal with CSX Inc. to buy 61 miles of track and upgrade some of its rail yards and allow transportation giant to continue to run freight cars on the commuter line.
Under the current proposal, CSX would be liable for accidents if one of its freight cars hits a car or pedestrian. In two-train crashes, CSX would have to pay the insurance deductible (up to $10 million) in accidents in which its employees are at fault.
Atwater and Cretul are preparing to issue the call for the session, he said in the memo.
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Sentenced to die for crimes judged heinous and cruel, inmates await execution in a 9 feet by 6 feet cell.
November 30th, 2009 at 5:57 pm
the last thing florida needs in this time of budget shortfall is more projects to increase gas and real estate taxes.small businesses are falling like dominos with the high cost of insurances,regulations and taxes now.
November 30th, 2009 at 6:14 pm
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