Bullet Train Dispute Turns Ugly

In his State of the State address earlier this week, Governor Jeb Bush said voters should reconsider their decision to build a high speed rail system because of the steep expense. The governor's statement ignited the ire of "Doc" Dockery, who had spent nearly $3 million to get voters to approve the constitutional amendment requiring the bullet train in 2000. Dockery said Bush was out of touch with Floridians' complaints about traffic snarls because he travels by air "with flight attendants and fine scotch whiskies." He added that when the governor does drive, he's "chauffeur-driven by a law enforcement official who can flip on flashing police lights warning us to move over." Bush said Dockery had personalized the issue and "it's a shame. Doc Dockery's my friend. But this isn't his toy. This isn't his little world." The first leg of the train, from Tampa to Orlando, could cost taxpayers as much as $2.7 billion. Bush is proposing a special election to determine whether citizens truly support the project. Dockery said Bush's idea would cost him even more money. Dockery spoke from Blowing Rock, N.C., where he was vacationing far from Florida's maddening traffic.