Who Will Call Out J.D.'s Conflicts?

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."

Rather than waste time geting bogged down arguing about the small stuff like traffic lights and comparisons to other cities' light rail operations, how about focusing on the bigger picture here? The 800-pound gorilla in the room few people seem to be aknowledging is that this deal is a multi-billion dollar piece of corporate welfare for a Fortune 500 company with record profits(already) at a time when the State of Florida(and it's legislature) is trying to cut costs in this era of economic meltdown. How can anyone, no matter which side of the issue you're on, argue this is the best, or even a prudent, use of taxpayer $$$$ It was a bad deal when Jeb Bush and his cronies crafted it in secret. It's still a bad deal now. What's changed? The Plan as laid out by DOT won't tackle Orlando's traffic congestion problem; doesn't go to the major attractions in the area; and keeps the taxpayers on the hook for repairs, improvements and worst of all, the inevitable accidents sure to follow. Other than that, "How was the play, Mrs Lincoln?" The obvious confilicts of interest among the key politicians behind this boondoggle only compound the problem. Scrap this deal, go back to the drawing board and come up with a plan that's doesn't leave the taxpayer on the hook for a corporation's bad behavior.