Weekly Electronic Newsletter About SunRail
We're now more than halfway 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.
This edition of our Weekly Electronic Newsletter for SunRail provides highlights of the tremendous support SunRail now enjoys across the State of Florida.
Support for SunRail Grows All Across Florida
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| Top Left: Senator Lee Constantine answers questions from the media as support for SunRail grows. Top Right: Senator Lee Constantine (left) shown with Jacob Stuart, President of the Central Florida Partnership (center) and Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer (right), Chairman of the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission; all supporters of SunRail. Middle: Supporters of SunRail at SunRail Rally held at the Capitol Rotunda. Bottom Left: Senators Lee Constantine and Andy Gardiner shown with Presidents of Chambers of Commerce from across Central Florida; all in support of SunRail. Bottom Right: Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty (left), Vice Chair of the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission, shown with Ray Gilley (right), President of the Metro Orlando Economic Development Commission, both strong supporters of SunRail. |
What’s Next for SunRail?
It’s now official, Senate Bill 1212 (SunRail) will be heard at the next meeting of the Senate Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations (TED) Committee. It will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2009,from 9:45 a.m. until 11:45 a.m., in Room 309 of the Capitol in Tallahassee. We urge you to pick up the phone today and call or email each of the members on this important committee and ask for their support of SB 1212 (SunRail).
Chairman: Senator Mike Fasano (R)
District Phone: 727.848.5885
Capitol Phone: 850.487.5062
Email: fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov
Vice Chairman: Senator Anthony C. "Tony" Hill, Sr. (D)
District Phone: 904.924.1646
Capitol Phone: 850.487.5024
Email:hill.tony.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Alex Diaz de la Portilla (R)
District Phone: 305.643.7200
Capitol Phone: 850.487.5109
Email:portilla.alex.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Paula Dockery (R)
District Phone: 863.413.2900
Capitol Phone: 850.487.5040
Email:dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Andy Gardiner (R)
District Phone: 407.428.5800
Capitol Phone: 850.487.5047
Email:gardiner.andy.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Christopher L. "Chris" Smith (D)
District Phone: 561.650.6801
Capitol Phone: 850.487.5112
Email:smith.chris.web@flsenate.gov
Senator Ronda Storms (R)
District Phone: 813.651.2189
Capitol Phone: 850.487.5072
Email:storms.ronda.web@flsenate.gov
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.
Get the Word Out About SunRail
Everything you need to help "get the word out" is at www.RightTrackFlorida.org. Sample Resolutions of Support, important "Talking Points," recent News Articles, significant Letters of Support to Legislators, and most importantly, a place where you can reach out to the Governor, Cabinet, Members of the Florida House of Representatives and Members of the Florida Senate. With just "one click," you can let them know your feelings about SunRail,
Resolutions of Support for SunRail
With over 70 Resolutions and Letters of Support from across the State of Florida; SunRail continues to enjoy a wide body of support. This includes Resolutions of Support from the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Central Florida, Workforce Central Florida, and Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) #1596 along with Counties, Cities, and Civic and Community-Based Organizations representing hundreds of thousands of individuals who want SunRail.
Congressional Leaders Urge Support for SunRail
Earlier this week, Congressmen John Mica (R-Orlando), Congresswoman Corrine Brown (D-Jacksonville), Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Miami), Congressman Vern Buchanan (R-Sarasota), and Congressman Connie Mack (R-Cape Coral) sent a Letter of Support with answers to FAQs to Members of the Florida Senate. As Florida Members and Leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, they ask, "With improvements to congestion, the environment, and energy use, and as a major infrastructure and economic investment, we urge your help in final approval of this important transportation project (SunRail) for our state."
Facts and Figures About SunRail
SunRail means jobs, jobs, and more jobs. And, it means business opportunities, too, for working families all across the State of Florida. The economic impact during the construction, operation and maintenance of SunRail in the Central Florida Region alone is more that $981 million in commercial business sales, and more than $295 million in household earnings. To learn more, check out the one page fact sheet, "Strengthening our Economy" at www.RightTrackFlorida.org along with the SunRail Economic Study, which provides an overall summary and County-by-County "breakouts" of what SunRail means to the economic vitality of Florida.
Mayor Dyer Responds to SunRail Opponents
In Monday’s Orlando Sentinel "blog," it reports that, "Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, Chairman of the Central Florida Commuter Rail Commission (SunRail), took exception to comments made by two leading Democrats, both of whom reaffirmed their opposition to SunRail. The opponents are Democratic Senate Leader Al Lawson of Tallahassee and incoming Democratic Leader Nan Rich of Weston. They contend SunRail is too expensive and money set aside for it should be spent on education and healthcare. "This just makes sense," Lawson said. "How can you fund a railroad and not fund kids?"
Dyer, also a Democrat and former Florida Senator said, "Such arguments are not true." He points out, "$300 million would come from the Federal Government, more than $170 million would come from the Sale of Bonds and another $150 million would come from Local Governments." He added, "nearly $500 million in total, is set aside within the local DOT District - a priority set by Area Leaders and Lawmakers. We want our Number One Priority to be SunRail. That's our money," Dyer said.
High Speed Rail and SunRail "Linked"
According to an Orlando Sentinel report, "The proposed high speed rail train that would link Orlando with Lakeland and Tampa will never happen if the planned SunRail commuter train through Central Florida is killed in the State Senate." "It's a double whammy," said Florida High Speed Rail Authority Chairman Lee Chira. Chira told the Orange County Commission his venture needs "connectivity"—a hook-up with SunRail — to be successful."
"They [Federal Transportation Officials] would be out of their minds to consider high speed rail without SunRail. That's as blunt as I can be," said Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty, who is a strong supporter of SunRail.
Floridian's for Better Transportation Supports SunRail
Floridians for Better Transportation (FBT) is a statewide business and transportation association dedicated to making transportation safer and more efficient in Florida. Earlier this week, President Doug Calloway asked all of his members and supporters to personally contact Florida Legislators and express their support of this "common sense transportation initiative." Mr. Callaway goes on to say, "targeted investments in transportation yield an amazing return, $5.60 for each $1.00 invested." Plus, he points out that 28,000 jobs are created for every $1 billion invested in transportation projects.
FBT has a growing and diverse membership of businesses, organizations, and individuals, including the Florida Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Transportation Builders Association, Publix Super Markets, SunTrust Bank, the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers, the Florida Public Transportation Association, the Florida Ports Council, the Florida MPO Advisory Council, the Florida Airports Council, and numerous local businesses, Chambers of Commerce, MPOs, and transit providers all across the State of Florida.
Associated Builders & Contractors Says SunRail Helps All of Florida
Recently, Mark Wylie President of the Central Florida Chapter Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) sent a statewide letter to thousands of members asking them to "tell your Florida Senators and Florida Representatives that a vote for SunRail is a vote for Florida’s future."
"SunRail is the first-step in a future statewide rail network that will one day connect communities across the state. Make no mistake about it – SunRail isn’t just critical for Central Florida. SunRail is critical to the future of our entire state. We need you to write the State Senate and tell them a vote for SunRail is a vote for Florida’s future."
Regional Realtors Say "Go SunRail"
Next week, the Orlando Regional Realtor Association (ORRA) will join thousands of their colleagues across the State of Florida in Tallahassee for "Great American Realtor Day."
Earlier this week, in anticipation of their visit to the Capitol, the ORRA sent an alert to Association Members informing them of what SunRail means for not only Central Florida, but the communities surrounding the planned stops, and what it means for the economic viability of the entire State of Florida.
"For those of you who are unaware of what SunRail is, it is the first leg of a commuter rail system in Central Florida that will eventually have connectivity to Tampa, Jacksonville and Miami." Association Members were also told, "At a time when Florida is hemorrhaging construction jobs, SunRail puts people to work almost immediately, within four months of passage."
ATU Local #1596 Supports SunRail
Members of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) #1596 are asking elected officials to support SunRail because it will support tourism in Central Florida and the surrounding areas.
In a letter circulated earlier this week, ATU Local President Paul Wilson says that by "supporting SunRail today, you’re installing doors of opportunity that will be open for future generations, just as our founding fathers did with the U.S. Constitution."
"SunRail will nurture Central Florida students seeking higher education; giving them a chance to commute to BCC (Bethune-Cookman College) in Daytona Beach, Florida, and continue to live at home with their parents in another part of Central Florida; saving money on room and board."
SunRail will also allow Central Florida tourists to visit Daytona Beach, and surrounding areas; which would stimulate Daytona Beach, Florida economy, and areas in between, and will provide our citizens with disabilities faster traveling options, to various locations, such as games, art shows, etc."
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.
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.
