Miami Herald
Meanwhile, state officials and lawmakers seek other ways to get the money.
Sen. David Simmons, whom is described as the “brains” of the Senate helped Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland and Sen. Thad Altman, R-Melbourn write the letter.
“The bottom line is that he can’t reject this money: It was already approved by another Legislature and another governor,” said Simmons, R-Altamonte Springs. “It’s like trying to veto a bill after it becomes law. It’s too late.”
“It’s like trying to veto a bill after it becomes law. It’s too late.”
From Washington to Tallahassee, Florida lawmakers scrambled Thursday to save $2.4 billion in federal money for high-speed rail that Gov. Rick Scott rejected.
In Washington, members of Florida’s Congressional delegation met with U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who gave them one week to put together a complicated deal that would give the money to a private entity such as Amtrak or a regional planning organization.
“The cart’s in a ditch right now and we’ve got to figure out a way if we can all pull it out together,” said U.S. Rep. John Mica, an Orlando area Republican. He is chairman of the powerful House transportation committee.
“Politics should have no place in the future of Florida’s transportation, as evidenced by this letter of bipartisan supplaort,” said the letter, signed by 26 members of the Republican-controlled Florida Senate. The 26 state senators represent a veto-proof majority.
“This project would create real jobs, clealaner and smarter transportation and true economic development for Floridians,” said the letter written to LaHood.
The letter was authored in part by one of Scott’s first Senate backers, Republican Paula Dockery. Dockery argued that the newly created Florida Rail Enterprise could act independently of Scott.
The state’s share of the rail money — $300 million — was already approved last year by a previous governor, Charlie Crist.
The long planned rail line would connect Tampa to Orlando and the $2.4 billion would have covered nearly the entire cost.
Private companies were willing to cover any additional construction costs and operating losses.
But Scott worried about cost overruns, and said low ridership would have required state subsidies. His reservations were well-known, but his decision was a shocker nonetheless with state and federal officials working closely and in harmony.
A group of lawmakers, mostly Democrats, vowed to make the deal work and said they have already talked to Amtrak and regional planning groups in Florida.
