Media Kit » Try RailPrime™ Today! »
Progressive Railroading
Newsletter Sign Up
Stay updated on news, articles and information for the rail industry



This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.




railPrime
View Current Digital Issue »


RAIL EMPLOYMENT & NOTICES



Rail News Home High-Speed Rail

2/28/2011



Rail News: High-Speed Rail

Gov. Scott: 'My position on high-speed rail remains unchanged'


advertisement

On Friday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced he had met with Florida Gov. Rick Scott to discuss the Tampa-Orlando high-speed rail project — and that he was giving the governor another week to review a proposal crafted by local elected officials that would help protect the state from project liabilities.

But at this point, it doesn’t look like Scott will change his mind. In a statement issued Friday evening, Scott said his position on high-speed rail hasn’t changed.

“I believe high-speed rail is a federal boondoggle, as I said more than a week ago. This morning, I communicated to Secretary LaHood that as long as Florida remains on the hook for cost overruns, operating costs and paybacks in the case of default, I will vigorously oppose this project,” he said. “Since that time, Secretary LaHood has extended his own deadline for coming up with a way to alleviate Florida’s risk on high-speed rail. While I appreciate his continued efforts to keep the project alive in Florida, it is important to note that I have yet to see any proposal that accomplishes my goal of eliminating risk to Florida’s taxpayers.”