Fasano has concerns about CSX proposal

Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, told the Buzz this morning he has "concerns" over the proposed $490-million deal that would have the state buying rail lines from CSX, and over proposed legislation that would exempt CSX from any liability as they operate.

Fasano said the DOT is planning to delay more than half a billion in road projects including $123-million in Tampa Bay, and in tight budget times like these smart choices must be made.

"$490-million is a lot of money right now that could go to a lot of transportation projects. How do I go home and explain to the people in Tampa Bay that we're putting off their projects but spending this money for a private company, on a project they might never enjoy?"

Other lawmakers have concerns, too, and in both parties, which could make for an interesting battle this session....

Comments

"... we're putting off their projects but spending this money for a private company, on a project they might never enjoy?"

This deal has political stink all over it. Come on Times... grow some stones and expose this mess.

What if the $123 million for your area was not at risk Fasano? What about the benefits to the area of the CSX project? Just be honest and say if money is tight, you want it for your area...

"on a project they might never enjoy?"

They enjoy the goods that are delivered to Tampa by rail. They enjoy the fact that there aren't even more trucks driving on I-4 and I-275. They enjoy the jobs that would disappear if freight movement wasn't possible. They enjoy the environmental benefits of moving freight by rail instead of trucks.

Fasano is probably trying to make a play to get it to his area...that's his only real m.o. He would put a knife in his own mother's back.

They get the freight now 1:20. The plan would do the opposite.

well said 1:20, well said

How much did the chairman of CSX make last year? 26 million? This deal is ridiculous. Go Fasano!

So this is going to take $123 million away from needed roads and improvements and dump 1200 trucks a day into Polk County.Who exactly does that benefit?

seems CSX has what Florida wants...$400m is a good deal for the state

The CSX/FDOT deal stinks to high heaven. $491 million going from the pockets of Florida tax payers to boost the value of a private company which is a takeover target of a hedge fund. CSX told the Tribune last fall that they would make the improvements on their tracks without state money, but the half billion would enable them to do it sooner.

[Polk County]

Not only would CSX get $491 million from the state. The feds are pitching in more. Mean while FDOT is trying to keep the thing so hush, hush that they didn't even let their District One manager know about the project and had him cut out road improvements and widening, ON THE ROADS THE CSX TRUCKS WOULD BE DRIVING ON DAILY!!! Then he had to email and asked what was going on! Talk about corrupt! When you are so afraid the public will find out that you leave your supervisors in the dark, you must be hiding from something!

Fasano is right to question this shady deal!!! CSX expects the state of Florida to cover its (that is, CSX's) negligent acts. That's ridiculous. If there is an accident and it's the fault of CSX, they should pay the liability damages, not the Florida taxpayers; absolutely not!

Glad to see the SPT is beginning to report on the secretely negoitated give away of our state treasury. The legislature is contemplating cuts in the courts funding, child care, education and other vital services to balance the budget. Defund the CSX deal.

A list of the delayed road projects because of the 2005 CSX agreement was furnished members of Rep Ed Homan's Audit Committee meeting two weeks ago. Lakeland's in town bypass was on the list. City officals were not told in 2005 that the delay occurred so that funding for CSX could move forward.

this is like convergys and peoplesoft all over again.

this is like convergys and peoplesoft all over again.

this is like convergys and peoplesoft all over again.

Have the stones to research and expose the names of the local and state politicians who are buying up land along the CSX railroad throughout the state, and you just might reclaim you integrity.

[Julie Townsend]

Lakeland has been fighting this for over a year. Even though we are getting all of Orlando's unwanted freight so they can install commuter rail, we were not consulted or even warned. Orlando has been plagued by freight trains through their downtown for decades. They found a way to get rid of them - dump them on Lakeland. So FDOT is spending $500 million (just to start...this project will cost hundreds of millions more) to relocate a freight problem, not solve it for a limited commuter system in one area of the state. To add insult to injury, the Orlando commuter rail project does not meet FTA cost effectiveness. This deal is bad for Florida is so many ways. There is no way to explain it all here. Just google stop csx and read more.

More powerful than a locomotive.

Mike Fasano!

The problem is that DOT is in the sack with CSX on this no question about it. This reeks to high heaven. The whole deal was underhanded and dirty from the start. DOT officials are assisting CSX and the City of Orlando railroad everyone else. SCREW THAT!

Which side is Dockery on? There you will find the stink

[Clyde]

It troubles me that some people are questioning a deal put together by Jeb. Les majestie??

Sadly enough FDOT got into bed with CSX, covered it up and foolishly left a paper trail! When this thing blows wide open, not many people may be left with a job! Many it's the best thing to happen to FL! Out with to old, in with new.

Its not sad that they got caught.

[J]

Don't be railroaded.
Say "No" to spending taxpayer's money for CSX

i wonder if any legislators are positioning themselves to make money off of this deal? If they are i hope the Times plans a story about it.

Why would FDOT hire George LeMieux's firm, Gunster Yoakley, to do railroad law for them? Aren't all of Florida's railroad lawyers holed up in Jacksonville?

CSX has what Florida wants...tracks to run commuter rail.

Seems as if CSX has the upper hand at the end of the day.

They could easily walk, and then you've not only got nothing - but, they own most of the track around the entire state.

Before you all go scraming and wanting to blow this all up, consider what happens if they walk...No CSX, no commuter rail.

Walk? At CSX, everybody rides. And expects a "fare" shake...down!

Why did Jeb set up a deal for commuter rail when he was the one who killed the bullet train. Maybe I'm getting my trains mixed up.

I thought it was Senator Dockery who exposed this scam. It was. Now Fasano , probably because he has an upcoming election to worry about, is suddenly worried about it. Some think he had something to do with an amendment that allowed this money to get in the budget language without ever being heard in committee. Slick willie Fasano. He should be looked at much closer.

Actually the Polk County Commissioners led by Jean Reed and Randy Wilkinson were the first to call this issue out at the insistence of local residents. They along with Lake Wales wrote the state officials. Paula Dockery and Dennis Ross were contacted and immediately concerned.
Aside from those few officials, the rest of the state was a day late and $491 million short!
Thank you to everyone of them for watching our backsides!

Someday some media type will expose Fasano for who he really is. A hypocrite "God bless you" type and a very vendictive evil liar. He likes to pretend he is something he most certainly is not.

5:07 - why don't you just go ahead and bend over for all of us OK?

Dockery is the queen of high speed rail. She just wants it to be all hers. She'll have to actually show up to work.

Senator Webster is a solid man and has done great work for his district and would not do anything to jeopardize anyone in his district or the other Senator's districts. The CSX project is good business and brings jobs and federal dollars to this badly needed economy and he sees that. A run for the U.S. Senate may be in order for this man.

Webster? Is he going to get tough as the majority leader? He is termed out and wants to exit gracefully, get all his pet projects done before he leaves. Fasano wants to barter. Get those federal dollars and make it a work in progress. Go Danny and Mike!