News

Recent News Headlines

“Florida Loses $600 Million in Transportation Funding – Federal Dollars Go to Other States”
-- New Jersey, Connecticut and California Say, “Thanks Florida, we knew you couldn’t do it!”--

"Central Florida Misses Out on 13,000 New Jobs Due to Defeat of SunRail"
--Unemployment figures continue to rise at record pace--

"Thanks to Senate’s NO Vote, Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville
to Remain in Cars and Stuck in Traffic"
--Limited mass transit opportunities currently exist for nation’s soon to be 3rd largest state--

"The Truth Comes Out – SunRail Dollars Cannot Go To Education"
--“We were duped!” reports Legislators—

"Legislators Turn Their Backs on Seniors, Minorities,
& Low Income Families Who Rely on Public Transit"
--State unable to keep up with transportation demands of its most vulnerable--

While these Recent News Headlines are an "April Fools Joke;" they are very close to becoming a reality if we don’t act favorably regarding SunRail.  Opponents are confusing the issue with distorted facts and figures.  It’s time to "Set the Record Straight."  To this end, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Chair of the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission sent a letter to Florida Senators earlier this week to ease concerns about the liability provisions of SunRail.

Mayor Dyer says, "The liability provisions sought for SunRail are no different from the national standard."  Dyer goes on to say, "of the 33 commuter rail agency and freight railroad agreements nationwide that were reviewed by the GAO (Government Accountability Office), 21 were no-fault agreements just like SunRail."  To learn more, go to www.RightTrackFlorida.org and read Mayor Dyer's letter and the GAO Report.

Volusia Chamber in Tallahassee Today

The Chamber, Daytona Beach/Halifax Area which represents over 1,200 business members from all seven local cities, held their "Volusia Day" here today in Tallahassee.  Elected and appointed officials, including Florida Governor Charlie Crist, addressed over 200 "folks" representing Business, Civic and Government Leaders. 

Top Left: Florida Governor Charlie Crist and Frank T. Bruno, Jr., Volusia County Council Chair, head to Volusia Day in Tallahassee.  Top Right: Florida Governor Charlie Crist speaks to the crowd gathered at Volusia Day - Governor’s Quote "I’m for SunRail, and I know you are too."  Bottom Left: SunRail supporters at Volusia Day. Bottom Right: Larry McKinney, President, The Chamber, Daytona Beach / Halifax Area; Florida Governor Charlie Crist; Frank T. Bruno, Jr., Volusia County Council Chair; Jim Cameron, Vice President, Government Relations, The Chamber, Daytona Beach / Halifax Area.

Weekly Electronic Newsletter

We're now half-way through Legislative Session in Tallahassee.  To keep you properly informed; on a regular basis, the Central Florida Partnership will be providing this Weekly Electronic Newsletter on SunRail.

We invite you to "bookmark" the web site for Right Track Florida at www.RightTrackFlorida.org and "check back" frequently for "daily postings" and "breaking news" between now and the end of the Legislative Session. 

It’s True – Federal Dollars Disappear if SunRail Fails

Congressman John Mica has secured a Congressional Memorandum, which states, “If the Florida Legislature fails to approve the Central Florida Commuter Rail (SunRail), there are transit projects around the country that are next in line to receive the federal funds that would have been committed to SunRail.”  It’s important that Floridians understand that Federal Funding is "set to go" for SunRail . To review the Congressional Memorandum that shows where our Federal Dollars will go if SunRail fails, go to www.RightTrackFlorida.org

Tampa Chamber Supports SunRail

The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce this week sent a personal letter to key Florida Senators about the importance of SunRail, stating, “we feel strongly that working through the remaining issues is an urgent matter that will provide for an inclusive and unified voice for bringing commuter rail to Central Florida.”

And further, Tampa Chamber Leaders understand "the need to provide transit solutions and believes that this is an important step in helping those businesses in our super-region and around the state."  The Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce sent letters of support to Senator J.D. Alexander, Senator Mike Bennett, Senator Victor Crist, Senator Mike Fasano, Senator Arthenia Joyner, Senator Charlie Justice, and Senator Ronda Storms.  To review letters from the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce, go to www.RightTrackFlorida.org.

Commuter Rail Commission Calls on Senate President

The News Service of Florida reported earlier this week that members of the Central Florida Rail Commission sent a letter to Senate President Jeff Atwater (R-North Palm Beach) stating that SunRail will fulfill his pledge to focus on issues that reduce unemployment. 

"We the undersigned, on behalf of the people we have been elected to serve, are in total agreement with you in that the key to improving Florida’s economic integrity lies in these infrastructure projects and the creation of jobs for Floridians who desperately need work," the Commission Members wrote.  "As you are no doubt aware, SunRail is the best example of this type of project and is completely in-line with these priorities."

The letter was signed by Commission Chairman and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, as well as Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty, Seminole County Commissioner Carlton Henley, Volusia County Council Chair Frank T. Bruno, Jr., and Osceola County Commissioner Brandon Arrington.   Go to www.RightTrackFlorida.org to see their letter to Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater.

FTC Recommends SunRail

The mission of the Florida Transportation Commission (FTC) is to provide leadership on issues related to Florida’s statewide transportation needs, and to recommend major transportation policies for the Governor’s approval.  Their Resolution of Support conveys, “its support for the promotion of public transportation alternatives to improve transportation mobility and efficiency, to promote environmentally conscious methods of moving people and goods that reduce the state’s total carbon emissions, and to provide alternatives to seniors, those with disabilities and those in lower income families.”  For a copy of this Resolution of Support and over 70 other Resolutions of Support for SunRail, please go to: www.RightTrackFlorida.org.

Tampa Bay Partnership Holds Successful "Fly-In"

Last week, on March 25, 2009, the Tampa Bay Partnership delivered a Letter of Support to members of the Florida House and Senate stating their views about SunRail; leaders of the Tampa Bay Partnership believe that SunRail is the "start of a statewide transit system and the catalyst that will accelerate our transit plans in Tampa Bay."

Their Letter of Support was signed by Civic, Business and Government Leaders from across the Tampa Bay Region.  In their signed letter to members of the Florida Legislature, they urged passage of SunRail(SB1212), stating that it’s important for "SunRail to become a reality so we and Tampa Bay and others around the state can celebrate and capitalize upon this success."

To read the letter from the Tampa Bay Partnership, go to www.RightTrackFlorida.org.

Coming Soon to a Newspaper Near You

Senator Lee Constantine has today submitted an Opinion Editorial to statewide newspapers entitled, “Floridians need our help, and there is no greater stimulus opportunity in front of the Florida Legislature than SunRail.” 

This Op-Ed is geared toward his colleagues in the legislature, and it addresses the economic impact SunRail has in Florida; including how the dollars can and cannot be used.

“That money and the associated tax revenues will help fund our schools, improve health care, and support law enforcement – now and far into the future.  It will help us leverage even more federal dollars to support those vital programs.  Killing SunRail will have the opposite effect.  Why?  Because almost all of the state funding dedicated to SunRail comes from new-start transportation dollars and fixed guide-way bonds that must be used for transportation projects.”  Click here for the complete Opinion Editorial www.RightTrackFlorida.org.

What’s Next?

Senate Bill 1212 is now headed to the Florida Senate Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee (TED); however, it has not yet been calendared for action.  At your convenience, please convey your personal support regarding SunRail to the following members of the Florida Senate Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee (TED).  For your information and review, shown below are the "Member Pages" of the Florida Senators serving on this Committee.
Chair: Senator Mike Fasano (R)
Vice Chair: Senator Anthony C. "Tony" Hill, Sr. (D)
Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla (R)
Senator Paula Dockery (R)
Senator Andy Gardiner (R)
Senator Christopher L. "Chris" Smith (D)
Senator Ronda Storms (R)

In addition, please continue to email the Governor, Cabinet, and Members of the Florida Senate and Florida House of Representatives via the Right Track Florida web site, just "click here," Contact Your Elected Officials.

Don’t Forget!

Please go to our comprehensive web site, www.RightTrackFlorida.org to find recent reports, talking points, and articles of interest.  In addition, please utilize the "Email Your Elected Officials" page to let Governor Crist, Florida’s Cabinet Members, and the Legislature that you support commuter rail!

So You Will Know

As our Governor and Legislative Leaders continue their work in Tallahassee, I will continue to represent the Central Florida Partnership "on the ground;" advancing SunRail and other key issues that will positively impact the Central Florida Region.

Traveling to Tallahassee?

Please let us know if you or your colleagues will be in Tallahassee during the Legislative Session.  Here's why – we may need your attendance at a Committee Hearing or a Press Conference at a "moments notice."  So, please let us know if you are "Traveling to Tallahassee" so that we can "link" you to activities and events that will be important to the success of SunRail.  Please send us your availability by contacting Pam Clancy at 407.835.2486, or via email at pam.clancy@centralfloridapartnership.org so we may maximize your "Time in Tallahassee."

Need More Information?

Please let us know please if there is any information we may provide to you and your organization as we work enthusiastically toward successfully advancing SunRail.