Looking back on our recent Joint Meeting of the South Florida and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Councils, we’re proud to reflect on the impactful conversations and collaborative discussions that took place at @speakupbroward. The meeting brought together council members, regional leaders, and experts to address pressing issues facing Southeast Florida, including environmental resilience and restoration, transportation, and legislative priorities shaping our region’s future. Thank you to SFRPC Chair Michelle Lincoln, TCRPC Acting Chair and Secretary-Treasurer Ed Dodd, Broward County Mayor and SFRPC Council Member Quentin “Beam” Furr, Bryan Caletka Director of Transportation of Broward MPO, SFRPC Executive Director Isabel Cosio Carballo, and TCRPC Executive Director Thomas Lanahan for their welcome and opening remarks. A special thanks to Senator, Broward County Commissioner, and Immediate Past Chair of SFRPC, Steve Geller, for his continued leadership and support. We also thank our guest speakers for their expertise and insight: Maurizio Martinelli, Mollie Cordo, Thomas Reinert, Pamela Sweeney, Ronald L. Book, David Dech, John Mitnik, Ana Carolina Coelho Marán, and Eva B. Vélez. From Florida’s Coral Reef and Biscayne Bay restoration to Tri-Rail updates, legislative priorities, and flood resilience, each presentation underscored the importance of regional collaboration. For the full meeting recording and speaker presentations, visit sfregionalcouncil.org @trirail @miamidadecounty @browardcountylife @miamidadebcc @browardcountylife @monroecountybocc @myfwc @floridadep @sfwmd_gov @floridastreasurecoast . . . #regionalplanning #resilience #floridawaterways #biscaynebay #floridacorals #floodresilience #climateaction #trirail #southeastflorida #coastalprotection #browardcounty #miamidade #treasurecoast #regionalplanning #florida (fb)

A recent South Florida Sun Sentinel piece by Lisa Huriash highlights the funding challenges facing South Florida Regional Transportation Authority / Tri-Rail, as discussed at the recent South Florida Regional Planning Council & Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council Joint Meeting at Speak Up Broward- Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization. Dave Dech Executive Director of SFRTA, spoke on Tri-Rail’s future plans, noting the system faces a $30 million annual deficit, with an immediate ask of $10 million per county. While assuring leaders there is “not an existential crisis today,” he emphasized the need for sustainable funding. Broward County Commissioner Steve Geller, Immediate Past Chair of SFRPC, stressed the urgency of the issue. “We have to continue Tri-Rail. … I don’t know how we do it, and I don’t know how we don’t do it.” As counties finalize their budgets, transit funding remains a critical regional issue. #trirail #southfloridaissues #southfloridatransportation #sfrta #publictransit #southflorida #regionalplanning #publictransportation #sfrpc #sunsentinel #mediafeature (fb)