Well, well, John Mica is at it again,.........this time he's trying to get dedicated High Speed Rail funding to pay for his Pet Project, and CRX give-away, on the basis that it might feed into the High Speed Rail that Mica doesn't really want for Florida:

http://hhbslawblog.com/news/articles/8.24.09%20State%20asks%20feds%20for%20$270%20million%20for%20commuter%20rail.pdf

The state is seeking $270 million in federal aid to help pay for
the planned SunRail commuter train that would run through
Central Florida.
An application filed Monday with the Federal Railroad
Administration said the money would be used to help offset
the $1.2 billion cost of SunRail, which would link DeLand in
Volusia County with downtown Orlando and Poinciana in
Osceola County.
The federal money would come from an at least $8 billion fund set aside to build high-speed trains in the country, plus some related projects.

Florida also wants $2.5 billion for a train that could hit 150 mph on a 90-mile route between Orlando International Airport and downtown Tampa, with a midway stop in Lakeland. A final application for that project is due Oct. 2.

The 51-page application sent in Monday would lighten the financial load on the state, as well as the five local governments banding together to operate the commuter rail system and to buy 61 miles of track from the CSX railroad company based in
Jacksonville.
Florida officials contend the federal money should come from
the high-speed fund because SunRail would feed passengers into the fast
train. U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, says Washington has already
pledged $300 million for the project, which has twice been voted down in the
Florida Legislature.

Opponents have criticized the price tag of SunRail, saying Florida
is doing little more than engaging in corporate welfare for CSX.
That criticism could be blunted somewhat if the federal government ends up paying
$570 million of the cost.
State senators twice have balked at approving a $200 million insurance pact that assigns liability in case there is an accident with SunRail. Critics contend the plan placed too much risk on the state and not enough on CSX.
SunRail enthusiasts hope to blunt that charge by having CSX assume more risk, particularly when its employees are at fault.

John Mica Plays Nice in Public, Yet Encourages Racist Attacks

https://secure.presenteaction.org/contribute/sotomayor

When it comes to Judge Sonia Sotomayor, some Republican leaders like John Mica have been talking out of both sides of their mouth: playing nice in public while privately encouraging racist attacks from the likes of Rush Limbaugh. That's why Presente Action is running radio ads calling out members of Congress like John Mica who refuse to condemn Rush's rhetoric. Please make a contribution and help us put these ads on the air.

Heavy-handed, Condescending and Less than Forthcoming with the facts

Hmmm, some excellent pointers from Scott Macwell on why Sunrail failed to attract more supporters:

I have never liked the way this town's "visionaries" have handled rail.

They can be heavy-handed, condescending and less than forthcoming with the facts.

They offer vague and misleading answers to legitimate questions and then seem puzzled by the fact that everyone doesn't jump on board.

They help create the very gadflies that drive them so batty.

There's also the fact that so many of them seem to have their hands in the cookie jar.

I remember last month when we got our hands on the documents that showed how much public money had been spent promoting this thing — well over $1 million on lobbying and public relations alone.

More than a quarter-million of that went to the regional civic group, Myregion.org. Taxpayers already support this well-intentioned but amorphous chamber-of-commerce outgrowth, which is bigger on feel-good talk than concrete results.

So the taxpayers help fund this group ... which then bills the taxpayers for more money ... so they can convince everyone to spend more taxpayer money on a massive project. Nice gig if you can get it.

(And by the way: Nearly $1 million for sell-jobs that failed? Maybe someone should throw a few expected-results clauses into the next contract.)

There are a lot of people who support this project. SunRail proponents should find more of them who are willing to give help — without also giving them a bill.

Even the so-called "deadline" that was miraculously extended last week was an artificial one.

It was simply a date CSX chose to try to force lawmakers to strike a deal as quickly as possible. There's a reason that CSX both set the deadline and now agreed to extend it — because the company is going to make out like a bandit.

That's something else proponents have trouble admitting. When pressed about whether CSX is getting too much from taxpayers, they resort to the well-that's-how-everyone-else-did-it response.

My mother didn't buy that excuse when I was back in grade school. Maybe I need to sic Mom on the SunRail strategists.

Maxwell also points out that among the apponents are ardent anti-public works folks (more commonly referred to as anti-tax folks) who cannot be placated, because they lack the vision necessary to help such a grand project materialize.

He continues by stating the most obvious but ofetn missed point in local media:

And then somewhere between the constant complainers and paternalistic pom-pom shakers are what I think is the majority of us — people who want more transit options but have some legitimate concerns and questions.

We are the people who understand that SunRail would simply be a first step, but a crucial one. People who understand that nothing this significant comes cheap.

But we are also people who expect those championing this project to act more like responsible stewards of the public's interest than starry-eyed cheerleaders. People who want public officials to drive a hard bargain on their behalf. And people who want civic leaders who will do that without looking to get paid for it.

The best thing proponents have going for them is the possibility of tapping even more stimulus money for the project.

A point of caution remains,........stimulus money is still tax payer monies and we should make sure be get the best deal possible so as to not make it seem like a corporate give-away at tax payer expense.

Bottom line, while it is imperative that we invest in public transportation, and while these projects are inherently expensive and rarely pay for themselves, it MUST be negotiated in a way that puts the tax-payer interest first, instead of leaning toward being a corporate give-away first and foremost. We MUST get the best deal possible, so let's get started on re-negotiating a better deal.

John Mica who Brags about Stimulus, Flip Flops again

First John Mica votes against the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 ( the stimulus funding), and then brags about it as has been reported by numerous media outlets.

Now he's having some second thoughts again on transportation and infrastructure project funding provided under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, saying:

We must ask, is this so-called stimulus funding being used to help Americans who badly need jobs, or is this funding being used to benefit private companies, fund long-term studies rather than ready-to-go projects, and pay for projects that do nothing to employ people?

What is it Mica,......only if it's for your Sunrail pet project it's ok?

How about your own earmark to "study Beach erosion," how many jobs did that create?

Ah, there are different standards for the money you bring in, or the stimulus money spent on your pet projects. BTW, what was that ridership for Sunrail again? 3,500 you say? Sounds like this project wasn't done to take traffic off I-4, instead it likely has a business development motive rather a commuter need.

Good thing this bad deal fell through. It would have set a bad example to start Central Florida rail transit with.
The something is better than nothing argument is unconcionable when we are talking about a $1.2 billion project.

FEMA grant to Debary is NOT linked to John Mica

As much as John Mica likes to get credit for monies coming into the district, more than 95% of federal monies come through the regular grant process,......not earmarks.

Yet, it seems to be part of the ritual to have John Mica announce a FEMA grant for a drainage project, and local officials clamoring to give him credit. Why?

Here is how projects are selected for FEMA grants:

"because of the repetitive nature of the flooding in the project area."

The comprehensive reviews for technical feasibility, cost effectiveness, environmental coordination and compliance, and program eligibility are complex. So FEMA and FDEM adopted the joint review process.

The HMGP ( Hazard Mitigation Graqnt Program) is administered by the state, with projects funded 75 percent by FEMA and 25 percent by the applicant. Applicants include the State of Florida, local governments and private non-profits. Most applications are for wind retrofit, elevation, acquisition and demolition, and drainage projects.

And for a complete description of the grant application process:

In Florida, local mitigation strategy committees establish funding priorities for the HMGP and select projects based on those priorities.

HMGP projects go through a six-step process:

Step 1 - State sets priorities and application deadlines
Step 2 - State, in partnership with FEMA, conducts applicant briefings
Step 3 - Applicants submit project applications to the State, who selects projects for funding
Step 4 - State and FEMA conduct joint review, which includes:
Review for program eligibility - essentially meant to answer the question: "Does this project solve a problem HMGP is meant to address?"
Technical feasibility and cost effectiveness review, conducted by engineering review team
Environmental coordination and compliance review, which encompasses a number of issues, such as:
Historic preservation concerns
Environmental concerns including wetlands and endangered species
Flood plain implications
Step 5 - If reviews are satisfactory, FEMA obligates dollars to the State for approved projects
Step 6 - State informs applicant of approval (allowing applicants to draw down funding) and project implementation begins
Action Items at All Levels: Local, State, FEMA

The key to disaster response and recovery - including long-term improvements, such as mitigation - is a strong partnership between local, state, and federal partners. On HMGP, there are action items at all levels, including:

Applicants (local level):

Submit individual project applications to the State
Coordinate with participating homeowners and businesses who will benefit from the proposed project
Draw down obligated dollars from the State and manage implementation of the approved project
Comply with all applicable requirements, including environmental regulations
Account for the appropriate use of grants to the State
Maintain records

State:

Develop the State Hazard Mitigation Plan
Establish funding priorities, and select projects for funding based on those priorities
Establish deadlines for applications
Conduct applicant briefings and provide technical assistance to applicants
Ensure that the scope of work complies with all applicable requirements under HMGP regulations, as well as Federal, State, and local laws
Notify Applicant when projects are approved and dollars are available
Send dollars to Applicant when drawn down
Monitor the progress of projects
Work with Applicant to close out projects

FEMA:

Establish minimum criteria for eligibility, and review and approve eligible projects
Prepare the environmental decision based on information submitted by the applicant
Provide technical assistance to the State and Applicants
Obligate dollars for eligible projects to State

Where does John Mica come into play? Nowhere at all according to the application process!

Why then do local officials insist of complimenting John Mica on FEMA's grant approval?

“I’m excited,” (DeBary Mayor Bob) Garcia said. “I’ve got to thank Mr. Mica from the bottom of my heart.”

Get REAL Mr. Garcia!

Water Resources Development Act Blocked for 7 Years

John Mica has the habit of patting himself on the back for getting a Water Resources Development Act passed for the first time in 7 years ( he has said the same for an Amtrak reauthorization bill). What he craftily omits to tell people is that it was the new Democratic Majorities elected to congress in 2006, that were instrumental in making passage possible:

Traditionally, Congress has passed a water bill each even-numbered year. The 2000 bill included the Everglades Restoration Act, a product of almost 20 years of state and federal action and negotiation. That legislation cemented a marriage between Florida and Washington over revitalization of the Everglades, with each partner assuming an equal share of decision-making and cost. The fruits of the union were to be 60 projects - to remove levees and increase water storage - that would restore natural water flow through the Everglades. Of the 535 senators and representatives, only one opposed the nuptials.

The 2000 bill authorized the first few Everglades projects, with the expectation that Congress would authorize additional projects in subsequent legislation. But partisan and regional politics intervened. The 2002 bill stalled over Missouri River dams. In 2006, there was a fight over the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. As a result, the nation went seven years without a new Water Resources Development Act.

With each battle, the Everglades was caught in the crossfire. Congress failed to authorize projects critical to restoration, which prevented those initiatives from even being considered for federal financing. Meanwhile, Florida exceeded the state's obligation - paying over $2 billion while it waited. Since one partner doing all the work is no way to sustain a marriage, the state-federal union to restore the Everglades was headed for the rocks.

But in 2007, a new Congress passed a water bill containing delayed Everglades projects. When President Bush vetoed the bill, Congress overwhelmingly overrode his veto. Everglades restoration was back on track.

Let's be honest,.....John Mica never was much into the environment, or into sustaining Amtrak. In fact he is a known polluter defender, and Amtrak hater.

In his usual theatrical manner he made this off the wall statement about Amtrak:
“Giving Amtrak more money would be like giving at this point an alcoholic another drink and asking him to sober up.”

John Mica likes the idea of having Amtrak come begging for funding year after year, without providing a dedicated funding source like aviation, highways and transit have. Investing in our Nation’s passenger rail service simply hasn't been a priority for Mica. In 2006, Mica voted NO to increased funding for Amtrak, even though 71 other Republicans voted Yes.

Mica's Hypocricy on West St. Augustine Sewer Health

In another prime example of two-faced John Mica's double talk, he acts like he cares about local sewer problems, while cutting off federal funding for clean water projects.

John Mica voted NO to Water Quality Investment Act of 2009

James L. Oberstar (Minn.), said, "The bills we approved today take us another step toward creating jobs and strengthening the economy through federal investment in public infrastructure."
The Water Quality Investment Act provides authorizes $13.8 billion in federal grants over five years to capitalize the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and provide low-interest loans to communities for wastewater infrastructure.
It also reauthorizes $250 million in grants over five years for alternative water source projects and authorizes $1.8 billion over five years in grants to municipalities and states to control sewer overflows. It amends the Clean Water Act to provide a national standard for public notification of overflows, and increases the authorization of appropriations to $150 million for each of the fiscal years 2010 through 2014.

John Mica joins company with other haters of jobs and local clean water: Ander Crenshaw, Connie Mack, Jeff Miller, Bill Posey and Cliff Stearns.

While Mica is praised for delivering earmarks to his district, he cuts of funding through the regular appropriations process: NO LOW INTEREST loans or grants to municipalities and states to control sewer overflow!!!

Mica instead wants to have complete controle over who gets money and who doesn't. According to Mica, everything should go through earmarks,.....nothing through the regular low interest loan and grant programs,....after all without earmarks local municipalities don't need him.

I guess John Mica is employing the ultimate "job security" tactic for himself, at tax payers expense.