Posted on 02/24/2011 12:58:39 PM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
Gov. Rick Scott is sticking to his position on high-speed rail and has rejected a plan for a coalition of local governments to take over responsibility.
"I remain convinced that the construction cost overruns, the operating costs risk, the risk that we would give the money back if it's ever shut down, is too much for the taxpayers of the state," Scott told the Times/Herald.
There was virtually no chance Scott would budge from a week ago, when he rejected $2.4 billion in federal stimulus funding for the Orlando-Tampa line.
The decision brought howls of protest by longtime backers of the project, who said it would bring thousands of jobs to the state and address Florida's transportation problems. But Scott also drew support from tea party activists.
Bullet train backers began working feverishly to craft an alternative, to get around Scott's insistence that the state not be financially liable in any regard.
The plan, calling for local governments to take over the project, was submitted to Scott Wednesday after meetings between the governor's office, federal transportation officials and representatives from the local governments.
All "costs, fees and expenses and general liability of cost overruns and operating shortfalls shall be passed on to and guaranteed by the winning bidder selected from a concourse of bidders from the private sector," the proposal stated.
In the end, though, it failed to garner Scott's support. He was expected to announce his decision later Thursday.
(Excerpt) Read more at tampabay.com ...
New High Speed rails = Union jobs for life
For every buck spent on rail they must FIRST reduce welfare by $1.50.
The DNC guarantees these projects are job creators.
That’s good because a whole lot of us would be done with Rick Scott if he accepted any rail deals!
LOL, right up until the Chapter 7 gets filed that is...
The Last Resort argument by the High Speed Rail enthusiasts goes something like this-—
“If we refuse to take the $2.4 billion from the Fed then some other state will take the money and build their own high speed rail.”
Let them. There are so very few situations that high speed rail makes sense that nearly any project will end up being a long term money loser.
Good! Now the next chorus will be all the Dum-ocrats around here screaming bloody murder and pledging to vote Scott out of office in the next election. Then they can force this high-speed boondoggle down our throats once and for all.
Especially this dumb idea to put a rail line between Tampa and Orlando.
$2.4 Billion to install a rail line for a 1.5 hour drive?
Cost to ride would be prohibitive.
Can rent a Ford Fiesta or some other throw away car and not be glued to the rail.
Besides, if ICE rounded up all illegals in the Tampa to Daytona corridor I-4 wouldn’t be crowded.
If it was commercially viable, investors would build it.
“Especially this dumb idea to put a rail line between Tampa and Orlando.
$2.4 Billion to install a rail line for a 1.5 hour drive?”
That’s about the same as the distance from Milwaukee to Madison. If they would raise the speed limit to 80, a car would beat the train by a good bit. Why anyone would want to pay for the train ride is beyond me.
It makes me sad because I do believe in high speed rail......and unicorns.
It makes me sad because I do believe in high speed rail......and unicorns.
WHEW, THAT WAS A CLOSE ONE !
Someone from Lake County Florida can chime in on this, but I’m pretty certain that oranges and strawberries don’t take high speed rail to reach the local Publix grocer’s shelves.
bfl
In today's Tampa Trib, they quote supporters of HSR..who say that it would be good for Tampa..it could bring visitors from Orlando's theme parks and beaches...Talk about a stupid idea..imagine a family arriving at Tampa's rail terminal..two adults, 3 kids..how the heck are they gonna get to the beaches from there?
In today's Tampa Trib, they quote supporters of HSR..who say that it would be good for Tampa..it could bring visitors from Orlando's theme parks and beaches...Talk about a stupid idea..imagine a family arriving at Tampa's rail terminal..two adults, 3 kids..how the heck are they gonna get to the beaches from there?
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