Fla. Justices Say Gov. Scott Can Refuse Rail Funds

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: ABC News

The Florida Supreme Court has upheld Gov. Rick Scott's authority to kill a proposed Orlando-Tampa high-speed rail line backed by President Barack Obama.

The justices on Friday rejected a bipartisan challenge to the Republican governor's refusal to accept $2.4 billion in federal stimulus money for the project.

The high court put the case on a fast track because U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood had given Scott until Friday to accept the money or lose it to similar projects in other states.

Scott has refused, saying he's afraid Florida taxpayers may be on the hook for billions in cost overruns and operating subsidies.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=13056219

[RandySF]

1. Thank you, Florida

California will put it to good use. :)

[peace frog]

2. Good for California

but you can thank Rick Scott, not Florida. And as a Floridian and high speed rail supporter I am devastated.

[d_r]

3. crap.

I thought this time they'd actually build it.

With Disney behind it, with corporations lining up to take those 2 billion dollars, with people looking for those jobs, with the tourist money to be made...all lost - again - because of those privatization pricks.

[hlthe2b]

4. The Legislature should now pass a recall bill.

I still can not believe this guy was elected governor. There are a lot of repulsive Rethug Governors across the country, but Rick Scott is in a category all his own.

[Freddie Stubbs]

8. FL Cabinet members (Gov, AG, CFO, Ag. Comm.) are not subject to recall

[hlthe2b]

9. I know-- which is why I said they should pass a bill to do so...

or amend the constitution, if that is what is required.

[Freddie Stubbs]

12. A Constitutional Amendment would be required

[hlthe2b]

13. amending a state consitution is not that difficult for most states...

Many states have done so with almost offensive regularity.

[MidwestTransplant]

11. Amazing isn't it.

[Historic NY]

5. NY thanks the SC of Florida .

[peace frog]

10. Thank Rick Scott, not the SC of Florida

The SC ruled that it was Scott's decision whether or not to kill high speed rail, which he will do. It's all on Rick Scott.

[Roy Rolling]

6. King Scott

Once again, the kings of the Republican Party rule over the will of the laws passed by the people's legislature. The Florida legislature should introduce a bill stripping the executive branch of all power except cutting ribbons---and even then, don't give them sharp scissors.

[Botany]

7. This has to do w/ a republican nationwide strategy "they" don't want jobs ...

.... and growth because like 2010 "they" want people hurting so the hurting
people will take it out on the democrats because w/ the billions in unlimited
dollars w/ which to dump into the campaigns "they" can blame the debt for
the tough economic conditions. Although, the debt is a function of republican
policies and the loss of jobs comes from the off shoring of manufacturing
which the Chamber of Commerce and the Republicans protect and encourage.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

14. Fla. high court: Governor can reject rail funding

Fla. high court: Governor can reject rail funding

(AP) – 1 hour ago

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced Friday that $2.4 billion in high-speed rail funding intended for Florida will be sent to other states after the state Supreme Court upheld Gov. Rick Scott's decision to reject the money.
....

Several states, including New York and Rhode Island, have asked LaHood for Florida's rail funds, but the only project that would achieve the high speeds associated with bullet trains in Asia and Europe would be California's.

"I know that states across America are enthusiastic about receiving additional support to help bring America's high-speed rail network to life and deliver all its economic benefits to their citizens," LaHood said in a statement.

[florida08]

15. Scott tells DOT to spend $77M on Miami port project

http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2011/03/04/scott-tells-dot-to-spend-77m-on-miami.html

Gov. Rick Scott said the state will take on the $77 million shortfall for the Port of Miami dredging project that will allow larger ships to enter the port, creating an estimated 30,000 jobs for the region...

Once the port is dredged to a depth of 50 feet, larger, new, larger Panamax ships coming thorugh the expanded Panama Canal can load and unload cargo there, enabling it to become a “first port of call” for ships coming through the expanded Panama Canal in 2014.

The release from the Governor's Office made no mention of the Port of Jacksonville, which also needs funds for a dredging project to allow post-Panamax ships to call here.

Now is this really for Florida or foreign imports..

[Democat]

16. Republicans vote for this guy who even offshores jobs to other states?

What are they thinking?