FL Gov Wins HSR Suit: Returns $2.4 Billion

The FL Supreme Court ruled March 4 against two state senators who sued to save the project despite Gov. Rick Scott's opposition. DOT Secretary LaHood contacted Scott a third time before announcing that $2.4 billion in HSR funds would be redirected.

March 6, 2011, 11am PST | Irvin Dawid

"Gov. Rick Scott emerged victorious Friday in his effort to kill high-speed rail in Florida. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced he would send $2.4 billion earmarked for Florida to other states."

The Times reporters note that Scott's rejection of the federal funding is the third time the state has rejected building high speed rail.

"In 1999, Gov. Jeb Bush halted construction of a bullet train that already had a contractor.

Five years later, he led a successful campaign to repeal a constitutional amendment passed in 2000 that required construction of high-speed rail."

"The governor's decision shows a devastating lack of vision, a lack of understanding of Florida's economic situation, and an unfortunate devotion to his own rigid ideology," U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, said.

Thanks to Streetsblog San Francisco

Full Story:

No high-speed rail for Florida; court rules for Scott, feds move to give money to someone else

Published on Saturday, March 5, 2011 in St. Petersburg Times