Former Winter Park City Commissioner Beth Dillaha said Wednesday she has formed a group to urge Gov. Rick Scott to squash the proposed SunRail commuter train project in Orlando.
Earlier, in March 2007, Dillaha gave her support to the commuter rail project after citizens approved a stop in Winter Park. And again in January 2008, responding to a question as to whether she would vote for the commuter rail agreement said, “It’s a done deal.”
The group formed by Dillaha is called VETO SunRail, with the acronym standing for Voters Expressing their Opposition. So far, the coalition includes former elected officials and has the backing of the Florida Taxpayers Union.
“With a $1.2 billion start-up cost and about $600 Million going to CSX (whose tracks the rail would use), SunRail represents the most expensive rail deal in the history of the United States,” the group said. “Additionally, the Florida Legislature agreed in December 2009 to shift liability for accidents, injuries and/or deaths caused by CSX on the 61.5 mile corridor to Florida taxpayers.”
Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Transportation indicated it was ready to enter into a multi-year funding agreement with Florida, following its review of the project.
SunRail, which is projected to create 10,800 jobs in the short term, and another 150,000 over the long term, was placed on hold earlier this year by Scott who claimed he wanted to conduct a financial review of the project. Specifically, Scott froze $235 million in SunRail contracts, delaying groundbreaking of the project this spring.
Scott, who has already killed a separate, proposed high speed rail system between Tampa and Orlando, which was projected to generate over 35,000 jobs, has said he is skeptical of SunRail, too. He had indicated that no decision would be made before the summer.
House Speaker Dean Cannon, R-Winter Garden, said this week that he has asked Scott for a meeting before the governor makes a decision.
Cannon supports SunRail.
