Gov. Scott Derails Plans for High-Speed Trainhttp://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local-beat/...You would think a Governor of State that has 12% Unemployment and is ranked among the Top Five States with the worst unemployment would welcome 2 billion in Federal Money that would create much needed construction jobs, but not Rick Scott.
Scott wants to spend taxpayer money improving our current roads, except The Florida Turnpike and other State Roads already collect Tolls to pay for the roads while Interstate Highways still rely on Federal funds with some State contributions.
President Obama's 2012 budget includes $8 billion for high-speed rail in an effort for the U.S. to catch up with the rest of the world. Japan had the Shinkansen trains back in 1964, these days most of Europe and parts of China have high speed rail, but not the U.S. for some reason.
The only part I disagree on is where in Florida to put it. Tampa to Orlando is only 84.89 miles along I-4, while Miami to Orlando is 234.02 mile along The Florida Turnpike. Clearly to take advantage of High Speed Rail it should be from Miami to Orlando.
No, Rick Scott has already presented his 65.9 billion dollar State budget and rather than create new private sector jobs to build high speed rail, with 90% of the cost paid by the Federal government, he is all set to cut 8,645 State jobs, more than 200 of which get cut this Saturday the 19th when all toll roads become Toll By Plate and no longer need Toll Booth Workers to collect cash.
It makes me wonder what Scott will derail next. What was Scott's campaign slogan again? "Let's Get To Work, Just Don't Take The Train"