SunRail backers in the state Senate continue to press for a special session to jumpstart the Central Florida commuter rail project. ...more

November 6, 2009

Gov. Charlie Crist is saying he did not endorse the $787 billion federal stimulus bill, a statement that might confuse some voters. ...more

November 5, 2009

SunRail backers in the state Senate continue to press for a special session to jump start the Central Florida commuter rail project. ...more

November 5, 2009

They say talk is cheap. I say that depends on who is doing the talking. Today's scheduled talking is supposed to take place in the great chamber of the Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners. That ought to make all of us nervous. The board is going to be talking about what ultimately will be a project costing billions of dollars. YOUR dollars. ...more

November 4, 2009

Amtrak lost money on 41 of its 45 train lines in 2008, including a $145.23 per passenger loss on the Silver Star that serves Tampa on its New York-Miami run, a Pew Charitable Trusts research group reported Tuesday. ...more

October 28, 2009

Amtrak lost money on 41 of its 45 train lines in 2008, including a $145.23 per passenger loss on the Silver Star that serves Tampa on its New York-Miami run, a Pew Charitable Trusts research group reported Tuesday. ...more

October 27, 2009

A special December session of the Legislature is being pushed by Gov. Charlie Crist and Senate President Jeff Atwater to show the Obama administration that Florida is serious about supporting rail transit. ...more

October 21, 2009

How is federal stimulus money really affecting Florida? Agency directors from across the state gave Gov. Charlie Crist an update Wednesday. Here are some of the highlights, by-the-numbers: ...more

July 16, 2009

Ridership continues to grow on Amtrak's Silver Star serving Tampa on its New York-Miami route, bucking nationwide projections of lower ridership because of the recession and a decline in gasoline prices. ...more

March 10, 2009

The 2009 regular session of the Florida Legislature is under way. The issue dominating the proceedings is the dwindling state government revenue stream. According to current estimates, planned spending for the state's 2010 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1, will have to be cut by $5 billion. If not, there would be a budget deficit, which the state constitution bans. The Legislature could reduce the future red ink potential by asking the Florida voters to do away with the class size amendment to the state constitution they approved in 2002. Unfortunately, lawmakers may only delay class-size compliance a year and ask voters to approve a change in the way compliance is determined next year. ...more

March 4, 2009