Gov. Crist Shouldn't Let CSX Railroad Open Government

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/dec/16/bz-gov-crist-shouldnt-let-csx-railroad-open-govern/ Gov. Crist Shouldn't Let CSX Railroad Open Government The Tampa Tribune Published: December 16, 2007 Gov. Charlie Crist, the self-proclaimed "people's governor," says he believes in open government. Yet he's not talking about a $491 million deal the state secretly struck with CSX Transportation that will benefit the railroad and the Orlando area but could adversely affect much of Polk County and communities from Plant City to Alachua. The deal was negotiated in secret, without the knowledge of many state and local lawmakers. People whisper it's a done deal, but it will come up for final review during next year's legislative session. So Crist still has time to prove his open-government bonafides. It's scandalous that people who deserve a say in the matter were not given the opportunity. Yet so far, Crist has ignored a large bloc of Central Florida voters and lawmakers who feel railroaded. Does this deal represent good government? Speak up, Charlie. The governor should call for greater scrutiny of the rail package and an open discussion of other potential routes if he expects to persuade the residents of east Hillsborough and Polk that the CSX deal would be good for them, too. This agitation might have been avoided had Gov. Jeb Bush, the state Department of Transportation and the railroad allowed all of those affected a seat at the table during negotiations two years ago. But then Bush has a penchant for privacy and paternalism. Crist needs to bring the deal into the sunshine. Indeed lawmakers were asleep at the switch when they appropriated the money without knowing the purpose. It makes one wonder what else might be hidden in the state budget. The language said nothing about CSX, Orlando or rail, and it was deftly hidden in an omnibus growth management bill. What irony. Growth management stresses planning, community and regional cooperation. For $150 million, CSX is giving up 61 miles of track for 12 hours of commuter service and shifting most of its freight traffic to a parallel line. But the rail will still run freight on the "A" line five hours a day and will share the line with commuter traffic seven hours daily. For $23 million, CSX will close its Orlando hub and relocate it to Winter Haven. And what about the remaining $318 million? That money will assist CSX with improvements along its "S" line, which runs through Ocala, Wildwood, Dade City, Plant City and Lakeland, and on tracks in Jacksonville and the Panhandle. It would appear the railroad has come up with an innovative way of paying for infrastructure improvements - let taxpayers do it. This is obviously a good deal for Orlando, because it will move freight traffic to the west and help free up congested highways. But it will transfer those traffic woes to Polk and east Hillsborough. Lakeland will see increased rail traffic, although it is unclear how much. And other smaller communities - Auburndale, Bartow, Lake Wales, Mulberry and Plant City - will become even more familiar with 18-wheelers on the highways. Proponents say the hub will be an economic boon for the area. They have visions of an independent Polk County that through economic growth becomes competitive with Tampa and Orlando. And if we really support "going green," they ask, wouldn't we be pushing for more trains? But few people are debating the point publicly, so these arguments are not being heard. The state Department of Transportation and Central Florida businesses and politicians - as well as our silent governor - are acting like this deal is done. But two Polk lawmakers won't allow it to happen without at least having their say. State Rep. Dennis Ross and fellow Lakeland resident Sen. Paula Dockery spent part of their week in Tallahassee asking questions and trying to shed light on the project during transportation hearings. Unfortunately, Sen. Mike Fasano, who heads the Senate committee, isn't keen on finding the answers. He told some Winter Haven opponents of the CSX hub the state doesn't get involved in local zoning issues. He conveniently ignored the fact state money will pay for the project. Shame on him. Fortunately, the House committee is led by Rich Glorioso of Plant City, who is concerned about what increased freight traffic could do to his home town. He should demand answers to such questions as: •What is CSX getting for our money, and why is the plan good for the state and region? •Why should taxpayers be on the hook for the infrastructure needs of a private company? •Why is Winter Haven the best site for the hub, and why the refusal to discuss alternative routes? •How many jobs will be created and when? •How much tax revenue would actually be generated for Winter Haven? •How many freight trains can be expected to go through Lakeland every day? •How many more trucks will be put on highways 60, 98, 17, 27 and Florida's turnpike? Crist has the power to address the people's concerns and open the back-room doors. If this deal is good for the state, it will withstand public scrutiny. It may be that the concerns of Lakeland and other communities can be adequately addressed. But nobody has bothered to make that case to the people of Florida. If Crist doesn't act, he'll show his promises of a more open government were meaningless.