Grass roots tell Tallahassee: Get moving on commuter rail

By Al Everson
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Dec 13, 2008 - 9:50:20am

State legislators gathered in DeLand to hear from the grass roots before heading to Tallahassee for the 2009 general session of the Florida Legislature.

And the grass roots said please continue to support commuter rail.

The commuter-rail system planned for Central Florida needs an agreement on liability before it can move forward.

"To fail in adopting liability legislation is not an option," Michael Ketchum of the Orlando Regional Chamber of Commerce told legislators during their Dec. 3 public hearing in DeLand.

Ketchum said commuter rail will be a powerful force in Central Florida.

"It will truly transform our transportation future," he said.

The commuter-rail system will use small diesel trains on the railroad tracks of the CSX corridor between DeLand and Poinciana, a distance of 61 miles, providing commuters an alternative to an overburdened Interstate 4.

The plan was developed by U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, after the Orange County Commission rejected his plan to build a light-rail system connecting Downtown Orlando and the Orlando International Airport in 1999.

Four counties — Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Osceola — and the City of Orlando are partners with the Florida Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration in the project. The current estimated cost of the system is about $1.2 billion.

The system is divided into two phases: The first would connect DeBary and Downtown Orlando beginning perhaps in 2010 or 2011. The second would extend the service as far north as DeLand and as far south as Poinciana, in 2013.

Transportation planners and civic and business leaders envision the four-county commuter rail as a small beginning of an advanced mass-transit network that may be greatly expanded in the years ahead.

"We are totally in support of commuter rail," said Vince Lopez of the Daytona Beach/Halifax Chamber of Commerce. He said the system could be extended from DeLand to East Volusia.

"There's no better time than today to have commuter rail," Volusia County Chair Frank Bruno told the delegation. "Wouldn't it be nice to have commuter rail coming down from Jacksonville?"

The 10 members of the Volusia County Legislative Delegation know, however, before any part of the system may be developed, the Florida Legislature must decide who will be responsible for accidents and casualties, as well as the limit on damages.

Shortly before the Legislature adjourned in 2008, the Senate could not agree on liability arrangements involving the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and CSX. The proposal was to cap coverage at $200 million for the FDOT, while CSX was to be "on the hook for damages beyond $200 million," according to a summary released by the House Majority Office.

The Legislature has committed to appropriate $600 million as the state's share of the commuter-rail system. The federal share amounts to more than $300 million. Unless the liability issue can be resolved by June 30, 2009, the federal funding may be jeopardized.

Request from the schools

Besides commuter rail, the Legislative Delegation heard other ideas for action in the state Capitol.

In light of budget cuts and declining enrollment in public schools, Volusia School District Assistant Superintendent Chris Colwell appealed for "a moratorium of at least a year" on major changes, such as academic accountability and class-size standards.

ERA still not ratified

In a seeming reprise of the 1970s, there was a plea to revive the proposed Equal Rights Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

"Thirty-five states have already ratified it," DeLand businesswoman Rachel Sieg told the legislators. "The traditional assumption is that males hold rights, and women must prove them. ... Please take a stand."

The legislatures of at least 38 states must ratify the ERA, if it is to be added to the U.S. Constitution.

Reduce tax burden

Volusia Tax Reform also pressed anew for reduced growth in the state and local tax burden.

"The increase in taxation is responsible for that U-turn in the economy," Volusia Tax Reform Executive Committee Member Ed Connor said. "We are losing our tax base. It is not provided by government; it is provided by business."

Thanks those attending

State Rep. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, thanked those constituents who had taken time to attend the public hearing.

"Many times it's easy for us to lose sight from Tallahassee," Hays said.

The annual 60-day general session of the Florida Legislature will begin March 3.

— al@beacononlinenews.com

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