This is not a sole political thread. This thread will be devoted to transit-related issues in the Tampa Bay Area, that are connected with the transition of power from President Bush to President-elect Obama. Any irrelevant posts will be subject to administrator intervention.
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From the HART website

New Administration Could Fuel Tampa Bay Transit

HART Projects in Line for Federal Funding

November 5, 2008 - Tampa, Florida - As President-elect Barack Obama was swept into office last night, so too were new priorities for the federal government. Sustainable energy, infrastructure investments and transportation improvements are sure to be high on the new President's list of things to do, and that means increased possibilities for transit in Tampa Bay.

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit is already working on several projects that could be in line for federal funding.

APTA Coordinating Federal Projects
The American Public Transportation Association is preparing information on transit projects and activities that could be funded in a future legislative package. HART has submitted a list of upcoming projects for consideration, including:

* New Buses for Bus Rapid Transit Lines - Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT, is a new express bus service that will feature modern station stops, advanced technology and new vehicles. The North-South line is in final design stages and should be in operation sometime in 2011, with an East-West line to follow.
* Tampa International Airport Transfer Center - Improving service to the airport will include a proposed bus transfer center on airport property. The transfer center would be served by the new East-West BRT.
* Additional Paratransit Vehicles - HART's service for people with disabilities has experienced exponential growth in the last few years. More vehicles would help HART adequately serve these people who need it most.
* Upgrades to the 21st Avenue Facility - With demand for transit service increasing, HART has outgrown its existing operations and maintenance facility. Upgrades and modernization would help HART continue to grow and maintain its fleet of buses.
* Double-Tracking the Streetcar Extension - The extension of the TECO Line Streetcar System to Whiting Street will connect Ybor City and the Channel District directly with downtown Tampa. A double-tracking option would allow for increased efficiency and more capacity than the current planned single track.

Hillsborough County Rail Project
One of the most talked-about issues in Tampa Bay is the possibility of a rail system that would connect people to employment, shopping and entertainment destinations across the region. HART has a head start on these plans with the Tampa Rail Project, a 20.1-mile light rail system operating on three corridors in Hillsborough County. The project received federal planning and environmental approvals in 2003.

Now, HART is reviving hopes for a future rail system in Tampa Bay by pursuing re-entry into the federal New Starts funding process for a potential light rail investment.

The mission of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) is to provide public transportation services which are safe, dependable and cost effective, thereby enhancing the quality of life in our community.

http://www.gohart.org/departments/marketing/press/press_release_11-5-2008.htm

I was at the Ice palace when Obama was there, and I remember him specifically mentioning helping to get Light rail in Tampa, granted I know he was trying to get votes but the fact it was even brought up made me feel good. Hell I may have it on tape somewhere.

Transit expansion and improvements was one of the primary reasons I voted for Obama. I know he will do a lot more to expand mass transit, as well as Amtrak, throughout America. I can't wait.

If he is serious about a true stimulus package that will do some good, and not just send people checks so they can send money to China or pay down existing debts, than he will insist on infrastructure improvements. If the money is there (to be borrowed) then its up to the cities/counties to develop plans that actually work. Perfection for everyone isn't necessary, but lets get a practicle system that meets 90% of our needs up and running. My only concern with these things is that everyone sticks their finger in and you end up trying to please everyone, and in effect you please no one. Look at the various European examples of LTR, they have LOTS of quirks, yet they work well for most people. I'm afraid that the traffic engineers at HART/TBARTA will try to get their say in, so that whatever plan that gets worked up doesn't impact existing lanes etc. A some point you need a local leader who will say piss-off to the provincialists, we need a plan that affects the most people in the best way possible. If that means losing a lane on Kennedy or Dale Mabry, so be it.

OPINION: This is Economic Stimulus? (http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/editorials/article948640.ece)

In print: Saturday, December 27, 2008

President-elect Obama's promised national stimulus plan has put a shine in the eyes of state and local government officials. As excited as children, they are making lists of all the things they will build if they can get a slice of those hundreds of billions of dollars. But Obama's twin goals of creating new jobs and kicking off green initiatives aren't supported by many of the items on the area lists. Officials have thrown in everything but the kitchen sink, apparently without regard to payback to the economy, and creativity and vision on a scale to match the president-elect's are depressingly absent.

Dog parks, basketball courts, swimming pools, walking trails, traffic video cameras, "textured" crosswalks, tennis centers, a duck pond and even a rehabilitation program for prostitutes are among the thousands of projects on lists created by cities and counties around the nation, without any indication of how they would create significant numbers of new jobs or reduce man's impact on the environment.

In the Tampa Bay region, the lists include new mast-arm poles for traffic lights in St. Petersburg, a new utility meter reading system in Pasco County, expanding the landfill in Hernando County, relocating airport surveillance radar at Tampa International Airport, renovating a community sports complex in Clearwater, and replacing traffic signals throughout Hillsborough County.

The Tampa Bay lists also include hundreds of millions of dollars in transportation projects, some of them desperately needed and legitimate stimulus ideas. But it is difficult to envision how some others — for example, paving dirt streets in Pasco County or improving a residential street in Clearwater — would spark economic recovery.

It appears that some local governments simply transferred their own, already approved capital improvement projects onto the stimulus list, as if the Obama plan were some sort of welfare-for-government program. Perhaps that is in part because the president-elect wants shovel-ready projects, but it makes no sense to use the stimulus dollars for projects that have potential local funding, especially if they don't meet the federal program's goals to create jobs, repair or replace vital infrastructure and reduce the carbon footprint.

Most disappointing on the wish lists is the scarcity of creative and visionary projects that could help position local communities to meet tomorrow's challenges. Relatively few projects would retrofit buildings to make them energy efficient, upgrade aging communications infrastructure, boost light rail and other innovative transportation projects, or fund retraining of workers to prepare them for success in the new global economy.

The Obama plan should not be regarded as a goody bag into which state and local governments dip to satisfy their desire for more ballparks or fancier traffic signals. Every project should be examined for its potential to create new jobs and contribute in fundamental ways to the economic recovery.

--------------------------

Ready to go projects for the stimulus package that are better than simply civic improvements and beautification.
\
Why the hell isn't the TECO Streetcar priority one in Tampa? finish that sucker and you create jobs and you help revitalize downtown with an actual form of mass transit running through the city center (bringing tourists and workers to and from the core).

^Couldn't have said it better myself. Including what you just said about the streetcar JohnF... That it isn't on the list is a major indication that our local elected officials STILL just don't get it.

I have an even better idea... Can we have a new round of state and local elections, whereby no incumbent can be re-elected BEFORE the stimulus is requested by our state?

I mean, even going past the simple here-in-Tampa results of workign on the street car -- you also help the manufacturing industry... You know, the companies that have to actually build the cars? Add to it a potential second barn (for non historic streetcar designed cars) and you have more immediate construction jobs...

I was also thinking of how the Clearwater Marine Aquarium should be replaced with a state-of-the-art venue. But the city of Clearwater probably lacks the ambition to even think about something like that and yet should have had it filed away for years -- a new venue that would work in coordination and unison with the Florida Aquarium and Mote Marine Labs... Possibly even tie it in with Marine Biology studies at USF.

Again - ambition, foresight... Even with new elections, Jason, Florida's scared of such things. After all, look at the results from November's election -- too many incumbents got re-upped and didn't even face serious challenges.

WTF?

This can't be just it. I thought HART and others were trying to push projects for Obama to consider. These "improvements" are such b.s.

I agree with Jason, our government officials still can't get their minds straight :bash:

Tampa Bay political leadership has traditionally been like a cancer patient in denial. They ignore the real problem and look at dressing up other trivial areas to make the area look good. Greco was great at getting the big things started, unfortunately the financing on all his capital projects has severely impacted future peojects. No one wants to pay any taxes (and why should they when you get paid jack and get little in return), so funding for the big ticket items is lacking.

So you have a situation with a bunch of plans for little things and no real serious planning on the big stuff. Mass transit plans amount to sketches on napkins, but we have 30page Powerpoint presentations ready to go for new crosswalks and traffic lights. I know they, Pinellas, Hillsborough, PSTA, HART, TBARTA, collectively have probably over 10,000 pages on mass transit proposals. But none are integrated into one finalized plan that works. Thats why when someone shows up and says, "what do you need TODAY?" The only things we can show are crosswalks and traffic lights because that is the only thing done.

^^
True. When everyone is divided on plans, which is definitely the case, then nothing gets submitted. In this case, we have bunches of small roadway improvements but nothing more. This is definitely very pathetic. :bash:

Provincialism. Separate-but-equal planning mentality. I abhore that. It's why I cringe every time I hear one county or one city saying they are exploring plans. What about coordination? What about a joint proposal? A unified system.

TBARTA's supposed to represent that but TBARTA doesn't have an responsibilities besides PLANNING right now. Pinellas and Hillsborough would never, with current leadership, pass control of there separate-but-equal MPO's and Transit Authorities (PSTA and HART) to an intergovernment agency. Why the hell serve the PEOPLE when we can serve OURSELVES?!

And DS has a general point about Florida politicians - instead of dealign with real issues, they find somethign to nit pick and push that has no relevance on the day to day. Look what Ronda Storms venting about now and proposing a fix for: The Dewey Decimal System. Of all of Florida's problems, is a library indexing system one of them?!

I out right hate that bitch (excuse my language).

Okay, so not to sidetrack the conversation, it is absolutely ridiculous that we're in this type of situation. No one wants to work together, even when trying to achieve a common goal. I thought all along that Obama's proposal would bring a lot of economic help to the nation, as well as speed up critical projects in nearly all areas of the country, including Tampa Bay. But now that I've seen these reports, I'm becoming more skeptical each day. We need REAL progress towards a viable future and so far, that's NOT what were getting.

What are we getting? The status quo. and why? Because, in many cases, people voted to maintain the status quo.

How many legislators in Tally got re-elected in November? How many county commissioners across the state got re-elected? How many of their opponents ran on simply maintaining a status quo or small changes and buzz words? I'm not talking about "hope" and "change" either. I am talking about "accountability" "responsibility" "living within our means"... Three words that have been repeated by candidates of both parties but are rarely truly embraced...

...let alone does a visionary proposal come forward. Last time something visionary came forward and was forced to be dealt with (Florida High Speed Rail amendment) we were told it was bad for us and we would HAVE to vote on it again to get the results that those in power wanted. Someone with vision would have said "Why not design this the best way possible and make the largest impact possible to boost the state?" But instead, the mantra was "it costs too much"

Same thing happens with the class-size amendment. The Legislature doesn't support it and would rather dole out funds elsewhere because visionary funding isn't their MO. The status quo is.

St. Pete wants to deal with stoplights while it's homeless problem and lack of public housing is very visible. St. Petersburg lacks the funds and desire for a curbside recycling program... But intersection poles and beautification projects are more important!

ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!

Why should anyone be suprized that this so called "massive economic stimulus package" is nothing more than a new name for back home pork projects. It's business as usual in Washington.

And they said (Pelosi included) that they would have more accountability on the Porkway. That's a bunch of junk too. NEVER WILL HAPPEN AS LONG AS WE'RE LIVING!

Iorio is going to just have to bite the bullet and get a system started in Tampa. Once "a system" is in place, it will become the de facto rule everyone else will follow. She is the only leader willing to push a system now. Pinellas will never do it on their own as they have too many cranky old people with too much time on their hands willing to call and protest against any new spending.

Honestly, I think Iorio should get the north-south route started along the CSX corridor through DT to Port Tampa. That train only runs about once a day at best, with only one engine and maybe 5 cars. That cargo could easily be carried over the road, especially when you consider the greater good of opening up that to a LTR intown route. Its the cheapest option, with the least impact (biggest intersections would be at Howard and at Bay to Bay), and would probably see the most initial use (south Tampa yuppies love trendy stuff, and its conv. to get from Palma Ceia to the Bars in HP/SoHo). The city ought to negotiate a deal with CSX where the city gets the tracks for 90% of the day and CSX gets it for 10%. Just limit CSX times to off peak hours (1-3pm, or late night), and split future costs 90-10 to the city.

^I agree. Take local money and get some sort of starter service running on that track, between Ybor and Port Tampa. Given the fact that it is already a lightly used track, it should be fairly easy to push for something similar to what Austin (Metrorail), New Jersey (Riverline) and San Deigo (Sprinter) are currently running. If you show people what they are going to get, it will make it easier to push for expansion. As for CSX, they'd probably sell it outright, since it is not a real money maker for them.

San Deigo Sprinter (runs on same tracks as freight. Freight operations occur at night)
http://www.metrojacksonville.com/photos/thumbs/lrg-4201-lauraq68.jpg

Beware, Iorio's term is entering the homestretch. If she wants to get things done with rail, she has to do it now. I really don't know if the next mayor of Tampa will have the same ambitions....

CSX might outright sell a line, but they'd only do it for an arm and a leg.

I mean, Pinellas has ONE customer taking deliveries from CSX from what I recall reading. ONE. Who? The St. Pete Times -- getting paper deliveries. Former County Commissioner Ronnie Duncan was exploring the acquire-share CSX line stuff, but he got stained in the Jim Smith land deal and left office.

And I contacted all four County commission candidates that I had on my ballot this November, askign them about their thoughts on mass transit (as all of their campaign websites lacked a position on... oh, just about everything) and the only guy who got back to me fit DS' description: cranky old guy with too much time on his hands. "We need to improve bussing first" to a general question about mass transit and TBARTA and all that.

Uninformed candidate. But at least he replied compared to everyone else (including winners Nancy Bostock and Nick Brickfield).

Meanwhile, HART brought up a fact Iorio's tenure as Mayor is comign to a close. She's had vision but I wouldn't say ambition getting things done. That is NOT sullying Pam Iorio who has cleaned up a lot of problems with city government.

And I know everyone should already know thsi but extending the streetcar technically creates more route for light rail. After all, light rail CAn run on the trolley tracks from what I recall. They were designed with that vision in place - being inter-operable.

And DS has a general point about Florida politicians - instead of dealign with real issues, they find somethign to nit pick and push that has no relevance on the day to day. Look what Ronda Storms venting about now and proposing a fix for: The Dewey Decimal System. Of all of Florida's problems, is a library indexing system one of them?!
My guess is that it's plenty relevant to her reelection fund... How much you want to bet that the company that 'wins' the state contract to 'fix' the Dewey Decimal system is a big campaign donor to Republicans?

Someone should propose a reform of taxation on railways in the state... I could devise a system that would greatly encourage asshole companies like CSX to do the right thing.

In fact, I wonder if counties can assess taxes on railways?

Theoretically they could because they own the land where the tracks sit on supposedly, but there are laws protecting them more than likely.

As good as the South Tampa CSX corridor may sound, I also don't want another repeat of the CFRail snafu. CSX has to stop freaking being concerned for only itself and look and the bigger picture.

How would the South Tampa CSX corridor be a repeat of the CFRail snafu? They are completely different animals. Plus, it appears that the majority of Tampa's light rail plan uses CSX ROW. Sooner or later someone is going to have to approach them (especially since light rail and freight can't travel on the same tracks). It will be easier to deal with them on a low use line than it is on the one paralleling I-275 North.

Btw, CSX is no different from any other major private business in America. It should be accepted that they are going to look out for themselves. The best deals are those that benefit both sides. The key to dealing with CSX or any other private business is to make sure they get a few cookies from the cookie jar as well.

^^
(no comment)

Officials Hope Transportation Moves Forward With Obama

By TED JACKOVICS

tjackovics@tampatrib.com

Published: January 4, 2009

Updated: 12:13 am

TAMPA - Long before Barack Obama and John McCain were nominated to run for president last year, tour group organizers in Europe were eagerly planning all-night, post-U.S. election parties.

They anticipated a new administration in Washington would enhance the U.S. image among international travelers, who had grown weary of the politics of the Iraq war and U.S. visa and airline security policies.

Since Obama's election, U.S. interests ranging from advocates for mass transit in Tampa to tourism officials in Washington have created a groundswell of expectations for transportation and travel initiatives.

Transportation has emerged to share center stage with jobs, energy and the environment in the nation's quest to revive its economy. Uncustomary bipartisan ties have been forged, along with prospects of intense competition for money, with sources and amounts not fully defined.

"With the economic stimulus program and then the 2009 Federal Transportation Authorization Bill, there is going to be a lot of activity in the transportation sector," said U.S. Rep Kathy Castor, D-Tampa.

"Florida and Tampa Bay have lagged behind in planning for improvements like light rail, while the Bush administration spent billions replacing bridges and roads in Iraq. But I've never been more optimistic that we will have a regional plan to unlock state and federal dollars for transit," she said.

Bay Area Needs

Seeking alternatives to Tampa Bay's highway congestion is not Castor's only focus.

There's the need for a contract agreement between the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association to avert more retirements of experienced union controllers, including some at the Tampa International Airport tower, while keeping FAA budgets in line.

Another FAA initiative requiring attention is a multibillion-dollar concept to modernize the nation's air traffic control system, Castor said.

The key local transportation issue is the plan the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority expects to complete early this year to qualify for funding for possible rail, bus and roadway initiatives.

"Improving transportation remains our No. 1 public policy priority," said Stuart Rogel, chief executive and president of the Tampa Bay Partnership, which oversees economic development for seven Tampa Bay-area counties.

Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, who has led initiatives in recent years to bring light rail to Tampa and the region, has proposed a number of projects, including road resurfacing and bridge repair. All told, the projects could cost $50 million and create 1,600 jobs.

"We must move beyond ideology and partisanship," Iorio said recently.

Transportation initiatives have united Republicans such as John Mica of Winter Park with some Democrats, including Castor and U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown of Jacksonville, who backs Amtrak improvements.

Long-standing political rifts will affect hopes some have for a shift in U.S. travel policies to Cuba, which could add flights to Tampa International and St. Petersburg-Clearwater International airports and trade at the Port of Tampa.

Obama has said he favors lifting restrictions on limited travel the United States allows Cuban-Americans, but he has not discussed opening travel to all U.S. citizens or loosening the U.S. trade embargo with Cuba.

Optimistic Outlooks

By the time Obama is sworn into office Jan. 20, Congress is aiming to have an economic stimulus proposal that could reach $1 trillion, including as much as $300 billion for infrastructure improvements for failing bridges and other construction-heavy projects, which could create thousands of jobs.

But no one is saying where the money for the stimulus program will come from, beyond the likelihood of creating additional budget deficits, or how it will be allocated.

"We use the word 'hope,' not 'expectations,'" said Doug Church, communications director for the air traffic controllers union. "There are so many issues and problems, we are not 'expecting' anything."

However, Church said the controllers union is confident because Obama understands the long-standing air controller contract dispute. The president-elect realizes addressing decades of FAA-union conflicts, widespread since former President Ronald Reagan fired striking controllers in 1980, as a key step to open communications on other aviation issues, including a new national air traffic control system, Church said.

Likewise, Ross Capon, who heads the National Association of Railroad Passengers in Washington, is delighted with Obama's record on Amtrak advocacy as an Illinois senator.

The key will be whether America can shake itself from depending on a transportation system reliant on imported oil rather than alternatives such as rail transportation, which is more energy efficient and environmentally friendly.

"We've been here before," said Capon, who is looking forward to Amtrak continuing its increases in ridership.

"I thought in the summer of 1979 during the gasoline availability crisis we were home free and how wrong I was. But it is different now."

People have gone through a number of gasoline crises and seen prices skyrocket.

"People may not read newspapers in depth, but if they see the same headlines over and over, they will put together two and two," Capon said.

D.T. Minich, director of Visit St. Petersburg/Clearwater, which markets Pinellas County's mainstay tourism industry, witnessed an improvement in the U.S. image on a visit to London several days after the presidential election.

"lf we can do some other things that won't cost any money, like improve the visa waiver program without jeopardizing security, we might even double the number of visitors we get from some countries," Minich said. "Clearly, there's a new attitude about U.S. tourism."

Reporter Ted Jackovics can be reached at (813) 259-7817.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jan/04/040013/na-moving-forward/news-metro/

Group Criticizes State's Road List

By RICH SHOPES

rshopes@tampatrib.com

Published: January 7, 2009

TAMPA - A consumer watchdog group is blasting transportation officials for failing to push for federal stimulus money to fix bridges and expand mass transit.

The Department of Transportation has produced a $7 billion wish list of projects it wants funded to help stimulate the economy.

The Florida Public Interest Research Group issued a report Monday criticizing the DOT's request as short-sighted.

Most of the money would go to build new highways and expand old ones, with only 10 percent going to bridge repairs and 1 percent to mass transit, said Brad Ashwell, lead advocate for the group.
Transportation leaders missed an opportunity to jump-start mass transit in Florida and to repair existing roads and bridges, he said.

"The problem is our transportation leaders do not have vision," Ashwell said.

The department defended the request. DOT spokesman Dick Kane said Congress requested the stimulus money be tied not to mass transit but highway and bridge projects that can start within 90 to 120 days.

"The whole idea of the stimulus package was to have projects ready to go," he said.

"We already have a state law for bridges," Kane said. "If a bridge is deficient, it's programmed to be repaired within five years."

Reporter Rich Shopes can be reached at (813) 259-7633.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jan/07/na-group-criticizes-states-road-list/news-metro/

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Even more evidence that our government DOESN'T WANT TO LISTEN! :bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash::bash:

Now I'm wondering, why on earth is this happening? There is very little, if any push for any mass transit improvements in Florida according to the current plans. I believe that our government wants to continue living in the past while other cities like Dallas continue to soar right past us in building their transit systems of the future. Yet the government's claim is "oh, well Obama wants these things ready to go ASAP" Okay, I understand that part. But that doesn't mean that our government can get lazy and just say "oh well, all we can do right now are road improvements.....DONE!"

Perhaps we should really start writing/calling our elected officials and force them to make change...

Otherwise, we'll have this....

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x304/wslupecki/293A.jpg

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x304/wslupecki/293B.jpg
Step right up to the biggest show in town! Our 20-laned freeway system!

Guaranteed to make you over two hours late for work or your next appointment!

What's that? You don't want to pay $20 for tolls? Don't want to spend $50 on bus fares? Well, then this is your place to do all your commuting! Come join us!

Anyone else agree with me?

Stimulus Formula Discounts Florida, GOP Says

By BILLY HOUSE

bhouse@tampatrib.com

Published: January 30, 2009

WASHINGTON - Florida Republicans from the Tampa Bay area and elsewhere are questioning whether the state would get its fair share of the $819 billion stimulus package the House passed Wednesday.

While uncertain as to the all the exact reasons, critics say various formulas being used to calculate a state's allocation might be skewing what fast-growing Florida would get if better, up-to-date population numbers were used to calculate the state's share.

A drop since 2006 in the state funding Florida provides its schools and universities also could cost Florida billions of dollars in the rescue package.

"The truth is that on a per capita basis Florida is getting a smaller share of this pork-laden pie than just about any other state," complained GOP Rep. Adam Putnam of Bartow.

Putnam and others point to a Wall Street Journal analysis of key funding categories in the House bill.

The newspaper's analysis found that Florida's allocation of $1.9 billion in transportation-infrastructure money would be the second-lowest among states in terms of dollars per capita ($108.03) - with North Carolina being lower by one cent.

By comparison, the analysis showed California would receive $4.4 billion ($121.26 per capita); New York, $3.39 billion ($173.94 per capita); and Texas, $3 billion ($125.48 per capita) in transportation-infrastructure money.

The newspaper also shows Florida would lag behind other big states in school and college modernization funding included in the House bill. The Journal analysis showed Florida would get $961 million in such funding ($52.44 per capita).

By comparison, California would get $2.4 billion ($66.11 per capita); New York would receive $1.6 billion ($83.77 per capita); Texas would get $1.7 billion ($70.88 per capita); and Illinois would get $859 million ($66.62 per capita).

Questioning The Formula

The debate reprises a familiar refrain about federal funding formulas and Florida.

The Democratic-controlled chamber on Wednesday approved President Barack Obama's rescue plan, 244-188, without any Republicans voting for it.

The legislation, about two-thirds spending and one-third tax cuts to businesses and individuals, could deliver as much as $29.3 billion into Florida through a crazy-quilt of formulas, according to estimates from the Center for American Progress, a Washington-based think-tank.

That amount is projected to be the fourth highest for any state, reflective of Florida's rank in population behind California, Texas and New York, says Will Straw, the center's associate director for economic growth.

But as the Senate is expected to start considering its version of the package next week - Obama hopes to sign it into law by mid-February - Florida Republicans from the Bay area and elsewhere are raising questions about whether their state would truly get the funding it deserves, unless they change the House bill.

In one large category of the House bill, Florida would "not even qualify" for any of the $3.5 billion portion of $79 billion to be divvied up by states, said GOP Rep. C.W. Bill Young of Indian Shores.

That is because the complicated distribution formula for the "State Fiscal Stabilization Fund" - intended to help states with budget deficit problems - requires "state funds" for K-12 education and higher education to be at no less than 2006 levels.

States that cannot meet the requirement will have to forfeit their share of the money for redistribution to other states.

Problem is, Florida falls $600 million short of that requirement, at a time when the state is in the midst of its biggest drop in public school enrollment in history, with more than 30,000 fewer students than there were in 2006.

'Stuck With The Bill'

Mel Martinez, Florida's Republican senator, said he will try to amend the Senate version to allow states to use some of the federal funds allocated in the stimulus package to meet the required levels of education funding.

"I'm hopeful for an open and healthy amendment process so we can address this and other problem areas," Martinez said through a spokesman Thursday.

Others also question why Florida would rank so low in per-capita share of various other parts of the House stimulus package, including transportation-infrastructure and school-college modernization categories.

"If my constituents are forced to accept a bill that puts their children and grandchildren another trillion dollars in debt, they should at least get something out of this bargain with the devil," said GOP Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite of Brooksville. "Instead they get shortchanged and still get stuck with the bill."

But Straw suggests that such complaints do not fairly paint the whole picture. He said Florida does well in other categories of the House bill.

For instance, the $4.3 billion in added federal Medicaid funding for Florida is the fourth best, behind only California, New York and Texas.

Straw said his review of the entire bill shows that Florida would get a total $29.3 billion through spending and tax cuts, also ranking it fourth. California is projected to get more than $63 billion, New York more than $40 billion, and Texas more than $38 billion.

"It does the fourth best - and it's the fourth-biggest state," Straw said. "That's pretty fair, I would say.

Reporter Billy House can be reached at (202) 662-7673.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2009/jan/30/na-stimulus-formula-discounts-florida-gop-says/news-politics/


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So it definitely sounds like that Florida is getting plain out screwed by the House bill. I am now beginning to think that the Senate should vote against it. Otherwise we will be in a huge mess through 2020.

*I-4/Crosstown Connector will be delayed until at least 2013/2014.

*Tampa's Rail - Phase I could be delayed through 2015, maybe further.

*HART's BRT System could also be delayed by two to three years. You might think that funding for the N/S line is done, but no its not. Remember that HART still does not have funding for a little over a dozen NABI BRT buses. Without the stimulus, HART will be forced to look for other sources for the purchase of those buses.

*You can also expect the Streetcar extension to DT Tampa to be pushed back a few years as well.

*Many other roadway projects would be delayed or dwindled to smaller phases throughout the 2010s, some lower priority projects may even be pushed beyond 2020. Remember that the E/W leg also lacks some funding.

INteresting article. It does seem a bit unfair to Florida....


*Tampa's Rail - Phase I could be delayed through 2015, maybe further.
Meh, I recently have not thought it would be sooner than that. Even if we started building tomorrow it would be close to that date to open. I think we will see LRT by 2020 or 2018 at the earliest.


*HART's BRT System could also be delayed by two to three years. You might think that funding for the N/S line is done, but no its not. Remember that HART still does not have funding for a little over a dozen NABI BRT buses. Without the stimulus, HART will be forced to look for other sources for the purchase of those buses.
I would not mind using other buses, even the Gillig BRT would be OK. It is the rest of the enhanced bus line that matters to me (stations, timing, Time to Arrival, etc..) not so much the actual bus (even though I LOVE the NABI buses). Essentially the funding is in order for the building of the line.

*You can also expect the Streetcar extension to DT Tampa to be pushed back a few years as well.
I thought that this was not dependent on the Fed? I believed that most of the money was coming from local and state sources that have already been allocated?

Remember that the E/W leg also lacks some funding.
The E/W leg lacks almost all funding other than for some studies, so this is the line in the most immediate danger of delay or cancellation.

Steve

http://sticksoffire.com/2009/01/30/tampa-can-lead-on-rail/

Dunno what's more bothersome: The fact it remains wordplay (and in a down economy to boot) or the comments left.

Unfortunately, as it stands right now. Florida isn't getting much of anything from this stimulus in respects to anything transportation-related. If anything on our end gets in there, it will be merely be nothing more than minor improvements such as traffic signal replacement and such that. Maybe one or two major road projects, but nothing more.

With that said, many critical projects WILL BE DELAYED!

Again, among that in the list of postponements:

I-4/Crosstown Connector, Streetcar extension, Tampa's rail line, HART's BRT (certainly E/W, but N/S could be in danger too), any such improvements to TIA, Mid Pinellas Exwy (also likely to be delayed), Crosstown Exwy widening/improvements, and the list goes on....

I HOPE THIS IS THE FINAL PRODUCT. OTHERWISE I WON'T BELIEVE A SINGLE BIT OF IT.

Plans already in place for Florida's share of stimulus
Saturday, February 14, 2009

(Bay News 9) -- State and local leaders already have plans for Florida's share of the stimulus money - about $10 billion for the state.

The biggest chunk of that money - $4.3 billion - will go to Medicaid, while another $2 billion will go to the State Stabilization Fund. Another $1.3 billion of the money is allotted for transportation projects.

Gov. Charlie Crist, along wit St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker and Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, said they are optimistic about what the money will mean for the Bay area.

According to the governor, the money spent on transportation will create thousands of new jobs. Some of the projects expected to move forward in Tampa with this money include the Crosstown Connector, the interstate project that has seen some portions put on hold and the intersection of Kennedy Boulevard and Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa, as well as some area bridges.

Baker said a committee will meet Tuesday to prioritize the city's roadway projects, but among those being considered are expansions of U.S. 19, the 118th Avenue corridor and the Bayway Bridge.

Crist said the state is ready to spend the money wisely.

"It's a new day and there's a reason I'm supporting this stimulus package," he said. "Because number one - Florida needs it. Number two - it creates jobs. It helps our people and it keeps us from having to raise additional revenues, if what we're hearing is accurate, and that's just great news for our state."

Few of Crist's fellow Republicans support the stimulus package, and many of them have criticized the governor for supporting it. Crist said he knows the package is not perfect, but he said the state is in a crisis and needs the money to get back on its financial feet - now.

Highlights of Florida's take

Medicaid: $4.3 billion
State Stabilization Fund: $2.2 billion
Highway funding: $1.3 billion
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program: $1.1 billion
Title I Education for the Disadvantaged: $651 million
Dept. of Education - special education: $627 million
Transit Formula Funding: $316 million
Weatherization: $190 million
State Energy Program: $125 million
Public Housing Capital Fund: $86 million
Homelessness Prevention Fund: $65.6 million

http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2009/2/14/437698.html?title=Plans+already+in+place+for+Florida

Another reason why Tampa will be screwed is that the other metros will likely come first. Orlando, Miami, and Jax will, in my eyes, each get a considerable amount of funds if they have thier planning all done, leaving Tampa with whatever leftovers the stimulus can provide. All this sums up to one thing......yep, you guessed it, only the smallest projects will get funding, meaning landscaping and minor traffic improvements (like signals). So in the end, Tampa will pretty much get little to nothing at all from this. :bash:

I was definitely correct in the sense that Tampa will get ZERO money for mass transit. According to Stimulus Watch (http://www.stimuluswatch.org/project/by_state/FL), All of the money that is earmarked for Transportation improvements are SOLELY GOING TO ROADWAYS! Guess which metro got their public transit projects ready to go? MIAMI!. Yep Miami seems to be the only one on board when it comes to prepping for mass transit. Jax got about 5 to 6 mass transit projects funded & ready, and Orlando has one. This is yet more evidence that Tampa's govt has their heads on completely WRONG! Other than the fact that Kennedy/MacDill/DM intersections will get overhauled, just about ALL these projects listed in Stimulus Watch are ALL SIGNIFICANTLY MINOR IMPROVEMENTS! Maybe when Tampa Bay is gridlocked in 20-laned freeways, that our govt will FINALLY realize, "Oops! We should have built rail." :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:

Maybe - or maybe you should be out trying to convince all your neighbors who will vote NO to raise the penny on gas tax for rail - so that in 2010, if (though I think it is likely) there is a vote, the thing passes. and maybe you should right more letters to the editor and politicians. Posting here is nice but won't get one vote.

No use crying over 25 years of wasted time -we aren't getting rail money today

I am all for a gas tax, but the county can raise that without voter approval, and it looks like they might from people I have talked to in the county.

A vote on taxes would likely be for a sales tax increase for transit, or/and maybe a tourist type tax.

Steve

From the MPO:
Top 15 projects for funding from Stimulus package:

1. I-4/Crosstown Connector - $463 million
2. Hillsborough Ave, Town & Country Community Plan pedestrian/non-motorized improvements -
$10 million
3. ADA retrofit for pedestrians including signalized intersections and sidewalk construction
throughout the County - $11.3 million
4. 22nd St pedestrian, non-motorized enhancements from Lake Ave to MLK Blvd - $2.2 million
5. Temple Terrace pedestrian, non-motorized improvements for a more “green” pedestrian-, bikeand
transit-friendly downtown area - $1 million
6. Bay Area Commuter Services Vanpool Program - $.6 million
7. Platt St Bridge rehabilitation – $11.17 million
8. Columbus Dr Bridge rehabilitation - $8.87 million
9. Brorein St Bridge repair and rehabilitation - $2.5 million
10. Laurel St Bridge repair and rehabilitation - $2.5 million
11. Plant City street resurfacing - $2.2 million
12. Intelligent Transportation Systems Signal Timing update program - $1.62 million
13. Intersection improvements at Dale Mabry Hwy and Kennedy Boulevard - $2.2 million
14. SR 574 (MLK Blvd) from Highview to Parsons - $11.42 million
15. I-75 (SR 93A) from north of B B Downs to south of SR 56 - $39.79 million


Not from the MPO: HART will almost certainly get funds as well, but it will mostly go towards fleet replacement, painting, and other minor improvements in the system.

Steve

^^
I sent out an email to HART about if the BRT project will be impacted. I doubt the N/S will be effected in a major stance, but the E/W will likely be pushed back if there continues to be no funding. As long at the N/S BRT is built, then that's good enough for me.

Maybe when Tampa Bay is gridlocked in 20-laned freeways, that our govt will FINALLY realize, "Oops! We should have built rail." :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:
I'd be happy to have multiple 20 laned freeways, as it is currently look at the map of freeways in Tampa Bay, its pathetic! All the small town whiners and old people were against highways so now we have gridlocked artery roads. While yes we do need mass transit we highways even more, Tampa Bay is so sprawled out there is no way people can commute to work forever on crappy artery roads.

From the MPO:

14. SR 574 (MLK Blvd) from Highview to Parsons - $11.42 million


Thank god. That's been on the books for years now and has been seriously needed.

Plus, why no money for the streetcar extension?

^^
Cause our govt can't think straight. It seems that the only money HART will get is for minor stuff like repainting their fleet of Gilligs.

^^
Cause our govt can't think straight. It seems that the only money HART will get is for minor stuff like repainting their fleet of Gilligs.

If I am not mistaken the TECO line extension is essentially funded and independent of the stimulus monies. It is going to be single tracked with passing at the station/s.

Steve

What about rail????????????????

If I am not mistaken the TECO line extension is essentially funded and independent of the stimulus monies. It is going to be single tracked with passing at the station/s.

Steve

But they were hoping to get enough stimulus money to double track it. Obviously, that won't happen now.

Brisco, I don't think we'll see rail as long as our govt continues to think the way it is right now. :ohno:

At this point, it seems that CF Rail is going to be built LONG before Tampa gets its rail lines done...

Agreed. At the current rate of government I would expect to see the first rail line in Tampa running around 2018-2020. I feel that is a realistic date. There are actually quite a bit of happenings going on behind the scene to place Tampa back at the forefront of funding.

For example, the plan is having to be re-worked from the 2002 plan because the feds changed the rules on the length of New Starts lines...the 2002 plan was too long so they are making it into two lines. The first from USF to DT and the second from DT to TIA. That is not to say one will get built before the other necessarily, but just that the one line is now being thought of and positioned for funding as two lines.

Steve

^^
Which is all understandable. When regulations are changed, people have to conform to them.