Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 092756
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File Number: 092756 File Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Version: 0 Reference: R-1294-09 Control: Board of County Commissioners
File Name: PROVIDE DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE FOR TRI-RAIL NEW $2 RENTAL Introduced: 10/7/2009
Requester: NONE Cost: Final Action: 11/4/2009
Agenda Date: 11/3/2009 Agenda Item Number: 11A16
Notes: Title: RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO PASS LEGISLATION PROVIDING A DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE FOR TRI-RAIL THROUGH A NEW $2 RENTAL CAR SURCHARGE OR OTHER NEW DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE
Indexes: LEGISLATURE
  TRI-RAIL
Sponsors: Katy Sorenson, Prime Sponsor
  Bruno A. Barreiro, Co-Sponsor
  Sally A. Heyman, Co-Sponsor
  Joe A. Martinez, Co-Sponsor
  Natacha Seijas, Co-Sponsor
Sunset Provision: No Effective Date: Expiration Date:
Registered Lobbyist: None Listed


Legislative History

Acting Body Date Agenda Item Action Sent To Due Date Returned Pass/Fail

Board of County Commissioners 11/4/2009 11A16 Adopted P
REPORT: Commissioners Martinez, Seijas, and Barreiro asked that he be listed as a co-sponsor. Hearing no other questions or comments, the Commission proceeded to vote. Chairman Moss noted the importance of the Legislature passing legislation that would ensure proper funding for Tri-Rail.

Board of County Commissioners 11/3/2009 11A16 Carried over 11/4/2009

County Attorney 10/7/2009 Assigned Jess M. McCarty

Legislative Text


TITLE
RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO PASS LEGISLATION PROVIDING A DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE FOR TRI-RAIL THROUGH A NEW $2 RENTAL CAR SURCHARGE OR OTHER NEW DEDICATED FUNDING SOURCE

BODY
WHEREAS, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority operates Tri-Rail in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties; and
WHEREAS, according to the American Public Transportation Association, Tri-Rail consistently has been one of the nation�s fastest growing commuter rail systems in recent years; and
WHEREAS, Tri-Rail recently has seen double-digit growth in ridership, increasing from 7,500 daily riders in 2005 to more than 14,000 daily riders at the present time; and
WHEREAS, during 2008, Tri-Rail carried more than four (4) million passengers reflecting a 23 percent increase over 2007 ridership, and marking the first time in Tri-Rail�s 20 year history that it has surpassed the four (4) million passenger benchmark in a single calendar year; and
WHEREAS, Tri-Rail and other public transportation not only offers riders an economical way to travel, but also an easy way to protect the environment by reducing air pollution, conserving gasoline and reducing road congestion; and
WHEREAS, perhaps for these reasons, Tri-Rail ridership has continued to increase even as gasoline prices have declined since their peak in the summer of 2008; and
WHEREAS, despite solid increases in ridership, the Florida Legislature has not provided Tri-Rail with a new dedicated funding source to ensure its continued success despite attempts by a coalition of Tri-Rail supporters over the last several years; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature not approving a dedicated funding source for Tri-Rail combined with the current budget situation led Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach Counties to scale back their annual contributions to the statutorily-required $4.2 million each for the current 2009-10 fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, the absence of a state-approved new dedicated funding source for Tri-Rail and reduced county contributions has required Tri-Rail to impose substantial fare hikes and reductions in service to continue operating at a time when public demand for Tri-Rail services has never been higher; and
WHEREAS, the absence of a viable new state-approved dedicated funding source for Tri-Rail also may threaten to jeopardize federal stimulus funds for a high-speed intercity rail system connecting Miami, Orlando and Tampa; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that the Florida Legislature approve a new dedicated funding source for Tri-Rail during the 2010 state legislative session, not only to ensure Tri-Rail�s continued viability but also to draw down critically-needed federal stimulus funds for high-speed rail; and
WHEREAS, a new $2 rental car surcharge is estimated to generate approximately $50 million annually that could be used to help fund Tri-Rail,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the Florida Legislature to pass legislation providing a dedicated funding source for Tri-Rail through a new $2 rental car surcharge or other new dedicated funding source.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, the Chair and Members of the Miami-Dade County State Legislative Delegation, the Mayor and Members of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners, the Chair and Members of the Palm Beach County Board of County Commissioners and the Chair and Governing Board of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority.
Section 3. Directs the County's state lobbying team to advocate for the legislation set forth in Section 1 above, and authorizes and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to amend the 2010 State Legislative Package to include this item.



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