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Sink Cautions Lawmakers on CSX Liability

Posted Apr 25, 2008 by Nicola M. White, Tribune Tallahassee Bureau

Updated Apr 25, 2008 at 04:32 PM

CFO Alex Sink just sent a letter to House Speaker Marco Rubio and Senate President Ken Pruitt expressing concerns about “saddling Florida’s taxpayers with unlimited liability” when it comes to the controversial deal with CSX Transportation to bring commuter rail to Central Florida.

Under the deal, which is being touted as the No. 1 priority for Orlando-area lawmakers, the state would buy 61.5 miles of train tracks from CSX, the Jacksonville-based freight giant, to start a suburban rail system. The catch is that CSX gets to continue to use the tracks for its freight operations and that if any passenger accidents occur, the state must pay up, even if an accident is CSX’s fault.

“Florida’s taxpayers should not assume an undue amount of liability as a condition of the proposed public-private partnership. I urge you to improve the previously negotiated terms and demand higher standards on behalf of Floridians,” Sink wrote.

Sink also sided with critics who have attacked the $600-million-plus plan as being negotiated largely behind closed doors and without public input. The project was first discussed during the administration of former Gov. Jeb Bush.

“Indeed, much of the initial negative reaction to DOT’s proposal is a direct result of the lack of full public disclosure on this several hundred-million-dollar deal,” she wrote.

The deal with CSX is now chugging through the Legislature. In the Senate, powerful Majority Leader Dan Webster, R-Winter Garden, is leading the charge. In the House, Rep. Gary Aubuchon, R-Cape Coral, is supposed to bring up the deal on the floor for a vote today.

Here’s a copy of her letter.