State Funding Of Railroad Work Spurs Investigation

Click title for link By LINDSAY PETERSON The Tampa Tribune Published: May 15, 2008 Updated: 12:11 am TAMPA - A state representative has called for an investigation into how railroad executives influenced state plans to give their companies millions for track improvements. In response to complaints from state Rep. Susan Bucher, D-West Palm Beach, the Department of Transportation's inspector general opened an investigation last month. The track improvement program provided money for several railroad projects, including the state's $649 million deal with CSX Transportation. "The whole thing smells," said Bucher, who was one of the few House members who repeatedly questioned the CSX deal during the legislative session that ended May 2. She asked for the investigation after reading Tribune stories about the state spending.