Take my shiny new train…please
We did a post last week about Florida Governor Rick Scott rejecting $2.4 billion of your money “granted” to the state to build a high speed rail between Orlando International Airport and Tampa. After the Governor’s decision, Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood, announced that he would give Florida until today to “reconsider”.
Yesterday, Governor Scott politely said “no” again, as he said he had seen nothing in the interim that would convince him that Florida taxpayers wouldn’t be on the hook for the assured cost overruns from construction, and the assured deficits from operation.
So, today, Mr. LaHood gave Florida yet another week to “reconsider” the decision.
The federal government is broke. The state of Florida is facing a $3.6 billion budget deficit. Meanwhile, this administration seems oblivious to those facts.
Shiny trains aren’t the answer. Fiscal responsibility is.
8 Comments
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The site is not broken.
Will take-thanks FL!
Malloy ran down to Dc to ask for that money FL refused.
Malloy said: "We need to be progressive, and maximizing the use of this existing rail corridor, one that the state already owns, really is a no-brainer. This is the best solution for reducing the stagnating traffic congestion along Interstate 91. It will help keep the air we breathe cleaner, and it will offer our state the best chance to attract new businesses and create new jobs.
Crystal, you miss the point yet again! The federal government money comes with both strings and assured cost overruns (see "Big Dig" in Boston for reference). How many businesses use commuter rail? Commuters do, but if the business relocates to CT, then the need for the train diminishes.
If Florida doesn't want it, that is their business. If Malloy wants to take it, then let him do so, but guarantee no cost overruns.
Businesses go where they can make the most profit. Why would any business choose a high tax, high regulation state with commuter rail over a low tax, low regulation state? Only a delusional politician would propose commuter rail as something that would attract new businesses to Corrupticut. Look for Malloy to be elected to a second term by a similarly delusional electorate.
Florida's not the only state that is giving back federal money.
Here's a list of other states, along with the projects they decided against.
It's not called America's Finest News Source for nothing.
Whether Florida wastes our money, or Connecticut wastes our money, "It IS our money!" Thank you, Mr Cavuto
The last dying gasp of those Liberal Progressive Socialist Weenies is:
1) Green Jobs
2) High Speed Rail
If the market demands it, then private sector will develop it.
When Politicians want it, they find a way to make it feasible and confiscate our money to fuel their own feel good-ism.l We need to vote out tax and spend incumbents. STOP SPENDING!!!
Malloy couldn't get to DC fast enough to kiss Obama's "CHEEKS."
I wish we were smart enough to have Governor Scott in CT. It really is time to jump ship