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Florida’s High-Speed Rail Project Canceled By Republican Governor’s Opposition

Locations in this article:  Miami, FL Orlando, FL Tampa, FL

Train Tracks - Florida's High-Speed Rail Project CanceledA plan to bring high-speed rail to Florida has been put on hold indefinitely after the Florida Supreme Court voted on Friday to uphold Governor Rick Scott’s decision to reject federal money for the service.

Last month, Scott rejected $2.4 billion in federal stimulus money meant to fund the construction of an express train between Orlando and Tampa.

Scott shut down the plan, which had been on the books for decades, over concerns that the project could go over budget and cost Florida taxpayers millions in long-term operating costs.

The governor told reporters that he found the project too costly for the state, which currently faces a $3.6 billion budget deficit.

The governor pointed to the train service between Palm Beach and Miami as an example of the long-term operating costs he is trying to avoid. The train service’s operating costs are only partially paid by fares and depend on government money. Nearly every method of transportation in the United States–from highways to airports to seaports–is at least partially subsidized by government funds.

Amtrak Train - Republican Gov. Rejects Billions Over Potential, But Uncertain, Cost OverrunScott’s move to reject funding was praised by supporters, including Tea Party members. However, bipartisan opponents charged that Scott had overstepped his constitutional authority.

Two state senators, one Republican and one Democrat, sued Scott on these grounds, but the high court ruled today that the governor acted within the legal limits of his authority.

The court’s decision puts an end to prospects for a rail line in Florida for the near future.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood told reporters that the money rejected by Florida would go to other state rail projects. The money would have covered nearly all of the construction costs for the rail line.

Scott is not the only governor to reject federal stimulus money for high-speed rail. Republican governors in Ohio and Wisconsin also turned down stimulus money for similar reasons.

President Obama began a major push to reinvigorate America’s long-ailing train system in 2009. He gave $8 billion to Amtrak as part of an effort to improve train travel and lessen U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

By Adriana Padilla for PeterGreenberg.com.

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