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Weekly Electronic Newsletter About SunRailWe're now on the "home stretch" of the 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. SunRail Passes Temporarily PassedOver 73 "folks" submitted cards to "stand and speak" in support of SunRail (Senate Bill 1212) at this morning's Florida Senate Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations (TED) Committee Meeting. Due to many late filed amendments, and extensive debate on the bill, Florida Senate Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations (TED) Committee Chair Mike Fasano decided to "Temporarily Pass" the measure in order to continue the debate on SunRail at a later date and time. By the end of business today, we will know when the rescheduled TED Committee Meeting will be held; it will either be Saturday, April 18, 2009, or Monday, April 20, 2009. As soon as a decision is made on when the next meeting is scheduled, and when the bill is to be heard, rest assured we will let you know to so that everyone will be able to make plans accordingly.
Strong Attendance by SunRail SuppportersThank you, too, to those who were able to make the trip to Tallahassee and stand in support of SunRail: Orlando Mayor and Central Florida Commuter Rail Chair Buddy Dyer; Orange County Mayor and Central Florida Commuter Rail Board Member Richard Crotty; Volusia County Council Chair and Central Florida Commuter Rail Board Member Frank Bruno; Seminole County Commission Vice Chair and Central Florida Commuter Rail Board Member Mike McLean; Florida Transportation Commission Chair Marcos Marchena; Floridians for Better Transportation President Doug Callaway; Florida Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Mark Wilson; Winter Park Mayor Ken Bradley; Debbie Grubb from the Florida Council for the Blind; Jacksonville Transit Authority Director of External Affairs Mike Miller; Walt Disney World Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Shannon MacAleavey; Winter Park Councilperson Karen Deibel; TBARTA Executive Director Bob Clifford; Tampa Bay Partnership President and CEO Stuart Rogel; Work Force Central Florida President and CEO Gary Earl; Orlando Regional Realtor Association President Frankee Elliott; The Chamber, Daytona Beach/Halifax Area Government Affairs Director Jim Cameron; Tampa Bay Partnership Vice President of Advocacy Matt Mucci; METROPLAN ORLANDO Executive Director Harry Barley; Audubon of Florida and member of the Central Florida Transportation Corridors "Task Force", Charles Lee, Sr.; President & CEO, Haines City Economic Development Commission H. Paul Senft, Jr.; Joe Smith Enterprises Principal Joe Smith; Orange Crown Holdings Owner Ryan von Weller; LYNX Chief Executive Officer Linda Watson, Orlando Regional REALTOR Association Vice President Governmental Affairs Frankee Elliott, and Baker Hostetler and First Vice Chair, Central Florida Partnership Jeffery Q. Jonasen. In addition, there were other members of the Core Strategy Team (CST) for Commuter Rail, Council of "Great Thinkers," Advocates and Supporters of SunRail, and the Central Florida Transportation Corridors "Task Force;" along with other business, government and civic leaders from across the Central Florida Region; all ready to stand in support of SunRail. Your Calls and Emails Will Make a Difference for SunRail
If you have not done so yet, I urge you to pick up the phone and call or email each of the members of the Florida Senate Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations (TED) Committee and ask for their support of SunRail (SB 1212). All Legislative Offices "count their calls" and, too, "count their emails." So, right now, please call each Senator on the Committee; please call their District Office; and please call their Capitol Office. Plus, a short email from you would go a long way if it were to be received by these Florida Senators.
Vice Chairman: 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) Congressional Delegation Supports SunRail
Just yesterday, members of Florida's Congressional Delegation wrote to Senate President Jeff Atwater, House Speaker Larry Cretul, and Governor Charlie Crist stating that, "It is vital to Florida's future that we create transportation systems that keep pace with other states. Central Florida and South Florida must develop efficient, competitive rail systems consistent with our nation's largest metropolitan areas." Resolutions and Letters of Support for SunRailThere are now over 75 Resolutions and Letters of Support at www.RightTrackFlorida.org. Orlando Mayor and Central Florida Commuter Rail Chair Buddy Dyer touted this incredible achievement in a recent letter to Florida Senators. "More than 75 civic organizations, business groups and local governments from around Florida that stand in support of SunRail. As you are no doubt aware, Central Florida stands solidly behind this project. But this broad, grassroots list of supporters also includes many statewide organizations. These groups support SunRail because they understand the critical importance of a statewide rail network to Florida's future. They realize SunRail is a pivotal first step in achieving this goal. They also recognize that SunRail will help jump-start our ailing economy by immediately creating thousands of real jobs for Floridians desperately in need of work. They know that SunRail is critical to Florida's future." Development Council Endorses SunRailEarlier this week, Ray Gilley, Chair of the Florida's Economic Development Council (FEDC), sent a letter to legislators endorsing SunRail, "No doubt there are tough decisions to be made this Legislative Session. None are more important than those that keep citizens employed during this economic downturn." "In addition to providing much needed jobs, it will also make Florida more attractive to businesses looking to expand or relocate and allow companies to tap into geographically broader talent pools, as well as to help ease congestion on our state's gridlocked roads. Suffice it to say, this is about more than just Central Florida – SunRail will be the backbone of a larger statewide system, changing the way Floridians travel for generations to come." County Commissioner Says "Go SunRail"Orlando County Commissioner Linda Stewart sent a "call to action" email to supporters Monday, asking them to contact Florida Senators, stressing the national importance of the effort. Stewart's push mirrors a similar one by the Orange County League of Women Voters, who also launched an on-line SunRail lobbying effort. "One of the pillars of President Obama's agenda is a new rail system that will connect major cities all across the country. This initiative will be on the scale of President Eisenhower's interstate road system and will create millions of new jobs. He has dedicated $8-billion in the stimulus package for high-speed rail corridors alone." "Central Florida is at the top of the list for one of 11 high-speed rail projects around the country. Before we can begin the President's high-speed rail project, the State Legislature must pass SunRail." Florida Realtors Support SunRailYesterday, the Florida Association of Realtors voted to support SunRail at its statewide public policy meeting in Tallahassee. Frankee Elliott, Vice President of Governmental Affairs for the Orlando Regional REALTOR Association, announced the support of the Florida Association of Realtors at the meeting of the Florida Senate Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations (TED) Committee earlier today. SunRail Will Be Positive for Port ManateeTuesday's Bradenton Herald Editorial reads that, "the Central Florida Commuter Rail Project, also known as SunRail, is the linchpin to greater rail access out of Port Manatee — and a boost for businesses. Container ships could drop their cargo here and ship it throughout the East Coast and beyond — by rail." "Many ports, including Tampa's, are boxed in by urban development, contend with traffic congestion and would have difficulties adding ship berths. That's not the case with Port Manatee. With better access to rail, Port Manatee would rely less on trucks for distribution. That would ease traffic on our highways, another bonus, and unclog Interstate 4 through Orlando." "With the passage of SunRail, commuter trains in the Tampa Bay region have a stronger chance of coming on line. The state could be spared the expense of widening Interstate 75 and other roadway expansions. We urge the Florida Senate to resolve the outstanding issues and approve SunRail. The economic development benefits to a major portion of the state — including Manatee County — are too great to pass up." Get the Word Out About SunRailEverything 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. 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 KnowAs 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. Send this page to a friend Show Other Stories |
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