Gov. Crist Signs Rail Bill
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
By: Tom Parkinson

Governor Charlie Crist signed the new commuter rail bill today in Tallahassee. He is holding ceremonial bill signings in Orlando, Tampa and Ft. Lauderdale. The legislation, passed by the state legislature last week, will create the SunRail project for Central Florida, continue funding for South Florida's Tri-Rail and open the way for light rail projects in Tampa and elsewhere in the state. Florida officials also hope that the demonstration of support for commuter rail will help attract billions in federal funding for inter-city, high-speed rail. Opponents of the rail project had asked that Crist delay signing the bill until after the state's inspector general completes an investigation into emails within the state Department of Transportation. State Senator Paula Dockery of Lakeland, an opponent of the rail project, says the correspondence, using code words like "Pancake" and "French Toast" were attempts to dodge the state's open records laws. DOT Secretary Stephanie Kopelousos denies the accusations but did not appear with Crist at this morning's signing in Tallahassee. Crist says he ordered an investigation into the, so-called, "Wafflegate" matter but says he didn't consider postponing the bill signing ceremonies. The signing event in Orlando is set for 1:15 o'clock this afternoon at Church Street Station in downtown Orlando.