Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Scott PowersJune 22, 2017

The Treasure Coast’s U.S. Rep. Brian Mast and a key railroad executive behind the proposed Brightline high-speed train clashed in Congress Thursday with Mast contending the company is getting public tax dollar subsidies despite claims to the contrary. The sparring came between Mast and Florida East Coast Industries’ executive director Mike Reininger during a hearing of […]

Scott PowersMay 11, 2017

A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit challenging a federal decision supporting All Aboard Florida for its high-speed passenger train project, and both the train company and its opponents hailed the ruling as a victory. U.S. District Judge Christopher R. Cooper dismissed as moot Wednesday the law suit that Indian River and Martin counties brought against […]

Peter SchorschApril 20, 2017

Still waiting. A pair of Republican lawmakers have yet to receive an adequate explanation from the Florida Development Finance Corporation about its approval of a $600 million private equity bond application for All Aboard Florida. The rail project is seeking to offer passenger service from Miami to West Palm Beach with the possibility of future […]

Peter SchorschApril 13, 2017

Two Republican lawmakers are still waiting for a response from the Florida Development Finance Corporation about its approval of a $600 million private equity bond application for All Aboard Florida. The rail project is seeking to provide passenger service from Miami to West Palm Beach and, eventually, service to Orlando. FDFC approved the issuance of […]

Scott PowersMarch 31, 2017

The company planning the Brightline passenger train service has won a key State Administrative Court decision in a case that was holding up an environmental permit needed for the West Palm Beach to Orlando leg of the train line. On Thursday Administrative Judge Bram Canter sided with Brightline and the St. Johns River Water Management […]

Scott PowersMarch 28, 2017

A bill aimed at putting some brakes on the Brightline private passenger train from West Palm Beach to Orlando died Tuesday when it was pulled from the agenda of a Florida House committee. House Bill 269, dubbed the Florida High-Speed Passenger Rail Safety Act, was set to be heard by the House Transportation & Infrastructure […]

Drew WilsonMarch 20, 2017

The Senate Transportation Committee unanimously approved a bill Tuesday that would require private rail companies to add safety features along their tracks, a move maligned by officials at All Aboard Florida. SB 386’s safety standards require passenger rail companies to install features such as positive train control, which helps prevent train-on-train collisions, and a remote […]

Scott PowersMarch 14, 2017

A bill aimed at regulating private high-speed passenger train service in Florida that is effectively targeting the Brightline train planned for the east coast rolled through the Senate Transportation Committee Tuesday. Sponsor Republican state Sen. Debbie Mayfield of Melbourne insisted that Senate Bill 425 is aimed at the general future of passenger rail in Florida. […]

Scott PowersJanuary 21, 2017

By the end of this year Orlando’s gleaming new $211 million train station should be virtually finished at Orlando International Airport, but it may be many years before trains start rolling in – if at all. The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is building a train station based on a vision of the future in which […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 28, 2016

Merdochey LaFrance, who was chief of staff to the late state Sen. Larcenia Bullard, will join City Year Miami as director of government relations, the nonprofit said Tuesday. City Year Miami has approximately 190 AmeriCorps members in 17 Miami-Dade County public middle and high schools, according to a press release. LaFrance will “cultivate and steward […]

Tag: All Aboard Florida

Brian Mast, Brightline exec clash over public money for railroad

Judge dismisses suit challenging All Aboard Florida; both sides see victory

Still waiting: Senators get non-answer from FDFC on All Aboard Florida bonding

FDFC silent after lawmakers question All Aboard Florida bonding process

Brightline railroad wins key court decision for environmental permit

High speed rail regulation bill dies in House committee

All Aboard Florida says Senate railroad bill ‘unconstitutionally targets one company’

Bill to regulate high-speed passenger trains rolls on

Orlando is building the train station, not sure when or if trains will arrive

Personnel note: Merdochey LaFrance joins City Year Miami