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Politics

Polk drives panel away

A state senator says the transportation authority wouldn't benefit the county.

By REBECCA CATALANELLO and MIVHAEL VAN SICKLER
Published March 8, 2007

TALLAHASSEE - Is Polk County part of Tampa Bay?

Not according to state Sen. J.D. Alexander, who helped withdraw Polk from a proposed regional transportation authority that would finance major projects, including a possible rail system, for seven counties: Citrus, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota.

A Senate transportation committee on Wednesday gave the unanimous nod to the proposed authority, which is sponsored by Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey.

Missing from the list of counties is the one east of Hillsborough with two vital Tampa Bay-area roads: Interstate 4 and State Road 60.

Despite these ties, Polk doesn't belong, Alexander said.

"The interests of Tampa Bay are different . . . than the interests of Polk County," he said. "We're not Tampa Bay, we're not Orlando. We're in the middle. ... I think we should develop on our own."

Alexander said last week that Polk should develop ties to inland counties south of it that aren't included in the proposed authority. Those rural counties are where Alexander wants the state to build a $7-billion toll road. He controls companies that own land along the proposed 152-mile route.

His lobbying for that road had nothing to do with his effort to remove Polk, he said.

Alexander has played a prominent role in Polk's withdrawal. Fasano and the sponsor of a similar bill in the House, Bill Galvano, said the request to omit Polk came from Alexander.

Transportation Committee member Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, said she was surprised to learn Wednesday that her home county wasn't a part of the bill.

"If I were to find out that Polk County wanted to be there ...," she started to ask Fasano.

"We would welcome them with open arms," he answered before she could finish.

Fasano said when Alexander approached him, he assumed he was speaking for the county leadership.

But on Feb. 26, Polk County's Transportation Planning Organization sent a letter to its local delegation recommending Polk be included in the authority.

"Polk County is part of Tampa Bay," said Michael Skipper, a senior transportation planner for the group. "The DOT's own analysis shows much of the ridership of a commuter rail system would come from Polk."

On Wednesday, Alexander said he didn't believe the Polk delegation had taken a position on the issue. He said the TPO endorsed the Tampa Bay authority only after it listened to a presentation from a Tampa representative.

Freshman Rep. Seth McKeel, R-Lakeland, said he would at least like the legislation to allow Polk County to opt into the plan. He said he wasn't aware of Alexander's concerns, but feels lawmakers should be attentive to the recommendation of the county's transportation experts.

[Last modified March 8, 2007, 01:44:15]