Tampa Tribune: Bay area lawmakers fear 2012 fight over expressway authorities

There may not be a bill yet, but there's already plenty of concern among Bay area lawmakers that state leaders will try again to seize control of the Tampa Hillsborough County Expressway Authority.

The big question, say critics and backers alike, is whether Gov. Rick Scott will make the issue a priority in 2012.

A pair of powerful senators, Don Gaetz and JD Alexander, tried during budget deliberations this spring to fold Hillsborough's expressway authority along with the Orlando-Orange County and Mid-Bay Bridge authorities into the Florida Turnpike Enterprise.

Lacking support in the House, the effort failed. But rumblings have continued about proponents trying again when the Legislature meets again in January.

"We'll fight the battle," said Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Valrico.

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