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State Sen. Jack Latvala told HART officials Monday night the only way he would draft legislation to combine the Hillsborough and Pinellas transit services is if it would save money and make sense for riders.
"There needs to be a consensus to do it," Latvala said about merging the agencies. He said the Legislature could pass a merger bill without local support, but he does not advocate that.
Latvala's proposal drew a mixed reaction from Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority board members during a 50 minute give and take that included a few testy exchanges.
Board members' concerns ranged from possible differences in transit needs between the two counties to whether money would be saved.
Latvala, a Clearwater Republican whose district covers parts of both counties, pointed out that both transit agencies face budget crises.
"There are those out there who say 'let them go broke, get out of labor deals and start over again.'
"If not this (consolidation) what?" Latvala asked.
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