Backroom deals

Click title for story link. Just when you thought the Florida Legislature couldn't look any more out of control, along comes Sen. J.D. Alexander. Alexander, R-Lake Wales, is chairman of the powerful Senate Ways and Means Committee. As such, he is the chief budget writer in the Senate and one of the most powerful people in Tallahassee. So when he offered a last-minute amendment to Senate Bill 2080 on April 29, no one objected or even questioned it.

Storms Recounts CSX Battle for Panel

Click title for story link. By Bill RuftyLedger POLITICAL EDITOR LAKELAND Sen. Ronda Storms held members of the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce almost spellbound Thursday with a passionate description of the battle over CSX in this year's state Legislature. Complete with sound effects, the Valrico Republican told how she and Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, worked to defeat a bill that would have held the railroad company blameless for certain accidents if the state bought tracks from CSX for use in a commuter rail system.

Power Player of The Week

Click the title and watch the video. Senator Paula Dockery was named Power Player of The Week. http://www.sayfiereview.com/index.php?doDate=20090505

CSX Haven Project to Be Delayed

Click title for story link. (Didn't CSX and the City of Winter Haven say these two projects weren't connected?) By Tom PalmerTHE LEDGER Published: Friday, May 8, 2009 at 9:12 p.m. Last Modified: Friday, May 8, 2009 at 9:12 p.m. WINTER HAVEN The combination of the economic downturn and the failure of commuter rail legislation in the Florida Legislature will delay construction of the CSX freight rail terminal in Winter Haven, CSX spokesman Gary Sease said this week.