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October 2016

MARTIN COUNTY PRESS RELEASE: OCTOBER 27TH

On Monday, Administrative Law Judge, Bram E. Canter advised Martin and St. Lucie counties that a hearing regarding the counties' petition to challenge the issuance of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) environmental resource permit for the All Aboard Florida (AAF a.k.a Brightline) high-speed passenger rail project has been scheduled.
  

JUDGEMENT SOUGHT IN FLORIDA TRAIN'S BOND ALLOCATION

THE BOND BUYER - SHELLY SIGO

Two Florida counties say they have proven in federal lawsuits that the $1.75 billion private activity bond allocation for an in-state passenger train project should be vacated, according to court filings.

Indian River and Martin counties filed separate motions for summary judgment Oct. 20, setting their 2015 suits involving All Aboard Florida's planned Brightline service on course for a final decision.

ALL ABOARD FLORIDA COULD BE IN COURT IN SIX WEEKS

MIAMI TODAY NEWS - CATHERINE LACKNER

Within six weeks, a lawsuit filed by Martin and Indian River counties along with some individual residents to block the leg of the future All Aboard Florida train service planned between West Palm Beach and Orlando will probably be before a judge.

MARTIN COUNTY LEGAL ACTION TARGETS AAF'S FINANCING

Martin County has asked a federal court to take back the $1.75 billion of tax-exempt bonds issued to All Aboard Florida, according to court documents filed late Friday.

Martin County’s filing followed a similar request submitted by Indian River County earlier that day.

READ THE FULL TCPALM ARTICLE HERE

AAF'S FINANCING IN JEOPARDY AS A RESULT OF LEGAL ACTION

A major strike against All Aboard Florida — one that would rescind $1.75 billion of tax-exempt financing — has been initiated by Indian River County in legal action filed Friday.

For 1½ years, both Indian River and Martin counties have argued that issuing the private-activity bonds before a final environmental report was completed violated federal law.

ALL ABOARD FLORIDA OPPONENTS PURSUE NEW LEGAL FRONTIER

Martin and Indian River counties have staked millions of dollars on their belief that All Aboard Florida must have financial support from the government to complete its Miami-to-Orlando railroad.

In their federal court case, the counties have presented compelling evidence that the $3.1 billion railroad cannot proceed without tax-exempt bonds, and the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in August confirmed these claims have merit.

LNG BY RAILS IN ALASKA - IS FLORIDA NEXT?

Sharon Kelly and Steve Horn - Desmog

For the first time ever, liquefied natural gas (LNG) has been shipped by railroad in the U.S., prompting concerns about risks of accidents and a lack of state or federal regulation for the new and hazardous cargo.

LONG ISLAND TRAIN DERAILMENT INJURES 33

The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the derailment of a Long Island commuter train Saturday night that left 33 people injured, authorities said.

The first three carriages of the 12-car Long Island Rail Road train came off the tracks about half a mile east of New Hyde Park station, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a statement.

New Hyde Park is about 20 miles east of Manhattan.