Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to urge you to VOTE NO on the CSX/FDOT deal for Central Florida Commuter Rail. Please vote NO on SB 1212.

While expansion of commuter rail is laudable and necessary, this is the wrong deal. The cost is too high-- $646 million to CSX at $10.5 million a mile for 61.5 miles?the costliest rail purchase ever. The overall costs soar to $1.2 billion before we know the operational expenses or have any dedicated funding in place.

The CSX/FDOT deal is the wrong priority. While education, healthcare, and public safety budgets are slashed, Florida taxpayers are asked to make a mega-gift to CSX, a private carrier who made $2.9 Billion in 2008. In addition, CSX will continue to run freight trains and collect revenues over the 61.5 miles just as if it never sold the track!

The CSX/FDOT deal pushes liability to the State of Florida. Even when CSX is negligent, taxpayers of Florida will foot the bill for all damages to non-CSX employees or CSX trains.

The CSX/FDOT deal undermines safety for the public and passengers. The secretly negotiated deal eliminates the existing, experienced, federally qualified railroad workers. By legislative precedent, it could eliminate 200 signalmen who install, test and maintain railroad safety equipment for the trains and motorists. These are Florida taxpayers!

The CSX/FDOT deal is railroading Floridians; it is a bad deal and a public policy disaster--we need to go back to the drawing board to develop a new, cost-effective plan for commuter rail expansion. Again, PLEASE VOTE NO on SB 1212.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
March 03, 2009