Archive for commuter rail
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Sugar, CSX, and Taxes for August 12, 2008
“Sugar grower Florida Crystals is lobbying for an inland port with the development of an industrial and commercial center just south of Lake Okeechobee, smack in the heart of the state’s proposed pathway for Everglades restoration.” - Sugar Grower’s Port Proposal May Affect Everglades Plan
“Thirty-one miles of the 61-mile Central Florida Commuter Rail project has been approved for final design, project backers announced Monday.” — Orlando Commuter Rail Takes Another Step
“With a boost from some tax-break incentives, Orlando-based Planar Energy Devices Inc. says it plans to establish a microelectronics plant in Central Florida within the next three months.
” — Tax incentives to fuel energy startup’s presence in Orlando
United Way, Tax Swap, Landscaping and More for August 3, 2008
“Heart of Florida United Way is radically changing the way it does business: going after “root causes” of hunger, homelessness, crime and family violence instead of “putting a Band-Aid” on the problems, leaders say.” — No more ‘Band-Aid’ approaches, Heart of Florida United Way vows
“Home builders demanded answers Saturday to questions about a proposed constitutional tax amendment that voters will decide on the Nov. 4 ballot. While state leaders who favored the tax-swapping Amendment 5 promised builders their tax bills would drop, opponents assured an audience of about 100 that their taxes would increase.” — Rival claims of tax-swap backers and foes baffle Florida home builders group
Editorials:
“Someone in state government needs to step up and address the standoff over the proposed commuter-rail project in Orlando.” — DOT Should Review Other Options To Build Commuter Rail In Orlando
“The old maxim that Central Florida officials couldn’t care less about conserving resources no longer holds water — especially when you consider how so many of them literally are now working to change the landscape.” — Smarter landscaping could help relieve water crisis
Bonus:
“He was a playboy bachelor, the first Republican governor of Florida since Reconstruction and a promising candidate for the vice presidency. His name was Claude Kirk Jr.” — ‘Claudius Maximus’ Blazed Trail Followed By Crist
Slow Saturday News for August 2, 2008
“Florida’s proposal to acquire 300 square miles of Everglades land from U.S. Sugar Corp. was illegally brokered in closed-door meetings, a lawyer claimed in a lawsuit filed Friday.” - ‘Glades Sugar Buyout Contested
Speaking of deals brokered in closed-door meetings: “A CSX railroad subsidiary can build a rail freight terminal in Winter Haven as long as it takes care of traffic and environmental issues, according to the Central Florida Regional Planning Council staff report.” — Planners Set CSX Rail Project Conditions
A Sentinel editorial: “Remember, the Bush administration is leaving behind a record budget deficit for the next president.” — Barack Obama’s ambitious plan for urban centers needs some editing
School Times, Parking Spaces, and Iorio Jumps the Tracks for July 31, 2008
Starting high school later to save money: After a long and bumpy ride, Orange School Board signs off on schedule swap
Who ever accused drivers of gas guzzlers as being courteous? Drivers show little respect for hybrid-only parking spaces
Orlando jumps the gun and wants a project that isn’t regional. Tampa’s response? Try to do the same thing. Iorio Wants Tampa’s Train Plans To Move Forward
Want to make sure your money actually helps people? Charitable Bang Per Buck Biggest Here
Bonus:
If you want to see Obama tomorrow, get your tickets tonight.
Rail, Health, FCAT, Butterflies, and More for July 20, 2008
You know that commuter rail project that failed? Orlando still wants to buy the cars. Railcar Deal Missing Key Component: The Tracks
Bring the doctor to your employees. A money-saving idea. A smart Rx for employee health
A trio of stories about money and Florida government. Act now! Florida may have money waiting for you, Will Powerball multistate lottery pay off for Florida? It’s anyone’s bet, Two Counties to Cut Night Court; Statewide Elimination Looms
Bonus:
No Crist Marriage News Here for July 4, 2008
If you read the regional news sites this morning you’ll learn that Governor Crist has asked his girlfriend to be his wife. That’s sweet. Good for them. I’ll be the first to wish them all the best.
If Crist doesn’t get the nod from John McCain to be his Vice President…I predict they will decide not to marry, but will “remain friends.”
The Florida Supreme Court gave Crist an engagement present: Florida’s high court busts Crist’s deal with Seminole casinos or Court Tosses Crist’s Deal On Casinos. That crazy court and their wacky gag gifts.
The Orlando Sentinel Optimism Award goes to the Sentinel itself today for a short throwaway statement in its editorial on the city’s bus system: We think: Lynx bus system needs to find more efficiencies to thrive
“Commuter rail? That will help. But it’s not pulling into the area until 2011, and once it arrives it will complement Lynx, not prove a substitute for it.”
Now, that’s an editorial board that sticks to its guns. No matter how bad they misfire.
