Legislature to start special session Thursday

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Sunrail would run between Tampa and Orlando.

TALLAHASSEE (AP) -- Florida's Republican legislative leaders are telling members to be in Tallahassee on Thursday to begin work on expanding and strengthening commuter rail systems.

Senate President Jeff Atwater and House Speaker Larry Cretul on Monday jointly called an eight-day special session backed by Gov. Charlie Crist.

They hope the legislation, including measures needed to create a commuter rail system in central Florida, will help attract federal dollars for a high-speed rail line linking Tampa, Orlando and eventually Miami.

Florida AFL-CIO President Mike Williams called the plan government sanctioned union-busting as it would strip rail workers of job protections. State officials say few employees would be affected.

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