A new state bill introduced by a Gainesville lawmaker would make Florida a part of the Southern Rail Commission.
Sponsored by State Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson, D-Gainesville, Hinson wrote that since September 2005, North Florida has lacked rail service due to the impacts from Hurricane Katrina, which damaged Amtrak's Sunset Limited route and previously connected New Orleans to Pensacola, Tallahassee, Jacksonville and Orlando. The route still connects New Orleans to Los Angeles.