The CSX/SunRail/High Speed Rail session is underway, and chaos seems to be reigning. The big news, as seen in this Ledger story, is that Rep. Baxter Troutman won’t vote because of his interest in a business that stands to profit from the CSX deal. That business, Phoenix Industries, I probably don’t need to tell you, is owned by his cousin, JD Alexander. Hilarity ensues. I really figured this thing was a done deal this time for any number of reasons, but I think it might be crumbling again. What a mess. Again.
In addition to The Ledger, the St. Pete Times Buzz Blog is covering the story well.
If you’re wondering where you might have heard stuff about conflicts before, it might be here on humble old LL.
Bio: Billy Townsend was a longtime government, political and general assignment reporter in Polk County and the wider I-4 corridor. He wrote extensively about Polk's unique regional identity and the issues shaping it, including USF Polytechnic, the Heartland Parkway and the CSX rail deal. Billy recently left professional reporting to take a corporate writing job, but he keeps close tabs on news of all stripes (especially political news) and the changes in modern journalism. Billy's wife is Julie Townsend, executive director of the Downtown Lakeland Partnership.They live with their three children in the Lake Morton area. His work at Lakeland Local is his first as an amateur hyperlocal writer.
