It looks like the voters will get a second chance to vote on the Bullet Train. Winning voter approval in the 2000 election, the Florida House of Representatives has now approved a motion to reconsider the train’s approval by a vote of 75-40. In consideration of the statewide budget crunch and the billions the Bullet Train will cost, Tallahassee lawmakers want to put the measure back on the ballot. Leading the opposition to the train are Governor Jeb Bush and House Majority Leader Marco Rubio.     

Not Again 

And just when you thought it might have been over, there’s another push by a few lawmakers to try and stir up a revisit to the Human Rights Ordinance in both Miami-Dade and Broward. Some of those Tallahassee insiders are saying that this could give some new life to the groups that would like to get another repeal movement back on the ballot.

Miami-Dade

Adios

While the new City of Doral is just about a done deal, another election scheduled for May 13 is almost certain to create another city, Miami Gardens. There are so many areas within unincorporated Miami-Dade that are falling all over themselves to get away from being under the sole thumb of county government, it’s becoming more than just an embarrassment. The county commission should be asking itself why.

Miami Beach

BayLink Update

The two alternative modes of a rapid transit link from Miami into Miami Beach is currently a topic of conversation around town. The discussions speak to the pros and cons of a train link with tracks as compared to a bus and/or trolley link without tracks.

The train link will require a multi-year street construction project to lay down tracks and to put up poles to carry overhead cabling. The bus and/or trackless trolley link is far less costly, disruptive and will allow the flexibility to seek expanded routes. Proponents of the train link, however, are saying people prefer to ride trains with tracks rather than the trackless trolley alternative, citing a smoother ride.

Watered Down

There was discussion at the April meeting of the Design Review Board about the committee the city commission put together to review demolition applications for architecturally significant single family homes built prior to 1942, that turned out to be disarmingly honest. The DRB member, who sits on the committee, told his colleagues that the committee had little power to do much of anything. A DRB staff member said the committee’s power had been watered down because the votes just weren’t there on the commission to give it the clout it needed.

In other action, which also included a bit of water, the DRB continued until the next meeting the city’s application for design review approval for the construction of a new South Pointe Pump Station on a vacant lot.

Street Litter

Numero Uno

Kickballers