The Orlando Sentinel reported the Orlando International Airport board voted Feb. 20 to use the funds from the rental car tax at the airport for 13 more years to fund the airport’s $2.1 billion expansion project.

The tax was up for debate on whether to use the funds for a commuter train project or the airport’s project to build a southern terminal with 16 gates. The $2.50 fee was first levied in 2008. It generates about $23 million a year.

Supporters of the SunRail commuter train and Lynx regional bus system wanted to use the surcharge to fund their operations, while airport officials backed the terminal project. One SunRail supporter, Florida Rep. Linda Stewart also introduced legislation in January that would allow counties to approve by ordinance or referendum a $3 per-day local surcharge on car rental transactions. The charge would apply to rentals that carry fewer than nine passengers and can only be applied on the first 30 days of a rental period.

Click here to view that bill, HB 117, as introduced.

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