A few hours ago we posted a report from the Orlando Sentinel that appears to have been accurate, but is now official: The AFL-CIO has made an agreement with Senate negotiators and is now endorsing the rail proposal that will come before the Senate soon.
Here's the press release: from Mike Williams, President of Florida AFL-CIO:
“The Florida AFL-CIO has achieved compromise with the Florida Department of Transportation and South Florida Regional Transportation Authority regarding HB 1B that addresses our serious objections and concerns voiced at the start of special session concerning job preservation and passenger safety on Florida’s railways. After long negotiations and discussions with Senate leadership and Senate Democrats, the primary concern of the Florida AFL-CIO, the preservation of the existing high quality rail jobs. Our goal of stopping the displacement of federally-qualified railroad workers from Florida’s passenger and freight railroads will not be compromised as experienced rail workers will continue to maintain Florida’s railways.”
Reports are that the Senate is debating the legislation right now. If passed, it would provide for the construction of SunRail in central Florida, and provide $15 million for Tri-Rail in South Florida. And of course, that would theoretically provide a better chance for tee state to acquire more than $2.5 billion in federal stimulus dollars for a high-speed rail line that would run from Tampa to Orlando.
This article appears in Dec 2-8, 2009.