News & Public Affairs

Rail deal passes in legislature

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Tags: high speed rail, Tampa-Orlando, CSX, Sunrail, Sen. Paula Dockery, Ed Turanchik, Connect Us, light rail, trolley, TBARTA

A bill that would clear the way for commuter and high-speed rail systems is heading to Florida Gov. Charlie Crist's desk.

Final passage came yesterday in the Florida Senate on a bipartisan 27-10 vote to close out a 6-day special legislative session. It easily passed in the House on Monday.

Crist is a strong supporter of the bill (HB 1B) and is expected to sign it into law.

The measure includes liability protection for the giant CSX corporation, which backers said was needed to...