Submitted by visitor (not verified) on Wed, 03/11/2009 - 13:08.
During a hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee today, Tampa State Senator Mike Fasano called a proposal to reroute freight traffic around Lakeland "way out of bounds". Proponents of Orlando's proposed commuter rail system, SunRail, had added the language after Lakeland officials and State Senator Paula Dockery voiced concerns over a possible addition to freight traffic through downtown Lakeland. Although the bill cleared the Judiciary Committee on a 6-3 vote, Fasano said, "You're going to have members in both chambers saying 'if we're doing it for Lakeland, then we ought to do it for this district and that district." The bill's next stop is Fasano's Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee. The Tampa Republican said the bill would have to be changed there to keep advancing. His comments set up a possible clash with Ms. Dockery who strongly supports rerouting freight traffic around Lakeland. State Senator Lee Constantine of Altamonte Springs is the bill's sponsor. He said,"We'll just go back to the drawing board and try to find something that makes them all comfortable."
#1 Tampa Senator bashes Lakeland