Court rules for Scott- No FL high speed rail

tampabay.com ^ | 03/04/2011 | Janet Zink and Alex Leary,

[Reagan69]

TALLAHASSEE — The decades-old dream of high-speed rail in Florida died Friday when the state Supreme Court turned down a last-minute lawsuit to save the project and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced he would send Florida's $2.4 billion to other states.

[Reagan69]

Balancing our budget by turning down federal disasters one at a time. GO RICK SCOTT !!! A Governor with GUTS and MANNERS ! We love you !

[Joe Brower]

Outstanding news.

Florida Freeper

I'm compiling a list of FReepers interested in Florida-related topics.
If you want to be added, please FReepMail me.

[JPG]

I proudly cast my vote for Gov Scott and it’s already paying dividends.

[Buckeye Battle Cry]

Excellent!!!!

[Reagan69]

But the court sided unanimously with Scott, and delivered a terse, one-page ruling.

“The Court has reviewed the petition, response, and reply, has heard oral argument, and has considered the factual allegations and legal arguments,” reads the ruling. “Based on the limited record before the Court and a review of the federal and state law relied on by the parties, the Court has determined that the petitioners have not clearly demonstrated entitlement to .... relief. Accordingly, the emergency petition is hereby denied.”

On Feb. 16, he formally announced he would reject the money, citing concerns about saddling state taxpayers with construction cost overruns, operating losses due to low ridership and returning the $2.4 billion to the federal government if the project failed.

Scott said he would rather see the money invested in port improvements and other projects that he believes would have a greater economic impact on Florida.

The rejection set off a scramble by federal, state and local officials to circumvent him and save the long-planned project. Local governments, including Orlando, Tampa, Lakeland and Miami, formed a coalition they said would assume responsibility for putting the project out to bid and ensuring that a private company would cover any cost overruns .

But Scott remained unconvinced.

[cripplecreek]

Mass transit

Because nobody wants to die alone.

[NonValueAdded]

hugh and series!

[Constitution Day]

Somewhere, Willie Green is deeply saddened.

[MinuteGal]

WHOO HOO.....NO CHOO-CHOO!!!

Leni

[Buckeye McFrog]

I must say I’m shocked the court did not once again stick their nose in on the side of the Liberals

[sport]

Thank God! I listened[overheard it actually I was someplace and they had a t.v. news cast on] Orior lying about it was not going to cost the taxpayer anything. What is the money they from obama, is it not tax money?

[Reagan69]

Rick Scott stated previously that he had studied the “ridership numbers” of a particular train that goes in and out of Miami and it is awful. NO ONE rides it but we sure are paying for it and of course, they have high-paid union members standing there doing pretty much nothing.

Nice gig if you can get it.

[WorkerbeeCitizen]

This awesome news

[haywoodwebb]

YES!

[oh8eleven]

Ray LaHood announced he would send Florida's $2.4 billion to other states.
It's NOT your money. Give it back to the taxpayers!

[Reagan69]

Man, these Florida judges are smackin things around.

[SE Mom]

Eeeegads! This is simply unbelievable.

GREAT way to start the weekend.

[JoeProBono]

[Howard Morrison]

Hip Hip Hooray!

[Howard Morrison]

Hip Hip Hooray!