State Budget Crunch May Push Huge CSX Deal Off Track

Click title for story link. By LINDSAY PETERSON The Tampa Tribune Published: December 24, 2008 A multimillion dollar deal with CSX Transportation could face problems in the Legislature in 2009 as lawmakers try to plug a growing budget gap. "When we're scrambling to come up with $2.3 billion in the budget, it may give people some incentive to take a second look at this deal," said state Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, an opponent of the deal during this year's legislative session. The state proposed in 2007 to give CSX railroad about $450 million to buy tracks for a commuter system through Orlando. The deal stalled in the Legislature when lawmakers failed to approve a controversial liability agreement.