(Washington, DC) - Upon hearing that the Florida state legislature passed funding for commuter rail, Congresswoman Corrine Brown, the Chairwoman of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials, made the following statement:

"This is a great day for Florida's traveling public; anyone who travels in our state knows how crippling traffic congestion has become. Moreover, not only are both Sun Rail and Tri-Rail of utmost importance to the state of Florida's overly burdened highway system, this agreement is also the beginning of a comprehensive state intermodal transportation system.   With passage of this critical rail bill, which will provide $1.2 billion for Sun Rail and $15 million a year for Tri Rail in South Florida, will not only provide the people of Florida with increased transportation options, but also provide well paying jobs for thousands of Florida residents.  With the unemployment rate in the state of Florida at 11%, and 34% in African American communities, this is a perfect time to fund commuter rail and put the hard working people of Florida back to work.  

For my constituents in the third district and for minority communities throughout the state in particular, this investment will help to address the disproportionate effect that the dramatic increase in unemployment has had on our communities.  And under existing transportation infrastructure laws, States, cities, and infrastructure financing authorities are strongly recommended to provide at least 10 percent of amounts made available to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE's), including minority- and women- owned businesses.

Not since the construction of I-4 has there been a transportation initiative of this magnitude in Central Florida. As more people and cars crowd our region, commuter rail will provide commuters with a cost-effective mass transit alternative to high gas prices and a congested and gridlocked I-4.  In addition, economic development around the rail lines is poised to help many of the surrounding communities flourish.

Transportation and Infrastructure funding is absolutely critical to the nation, and will serve as a tremendous economic and job creating boost at a time when we desperately need to offset the high unemployment rate in our state.  In fact, Department of Transportation (DOT) statistics show that for every $1 billion invested in transportation infrastructure, 38,000 jobs are created, as is $6.2 billion in economic activity.

We have worked with all of the stakeholders in Central Florida, as well as the state and federal government for many years to provide financial and logistical support for commuter rail.  I am also very pleased that labor provisions were included to ensure that work on the rails will be done by skilled labor union employees.  Moreover, this funding is absolutely crucial to our state's ability to obtain a $2.6 billion federal stimulus grant for a high-speed rail system that would ultimately link Miami, Orlando and Tampa.  Soon all Floridians will enjoy the benefits of reduced highway congestion, improved air quality and an alternative way to travel."

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