A third myopic governor has joined two others who have turned down federal money to build high-speed rail in their states. Gov. Rick Scott, the tea party-backed Republican elected last November, told reporters today that he is not accepting $2.4 billion in federal stimulus funds to build a high-speed rail line from Orlando to Tampa. Supporters had already spent $66 million preparing for the project, which has been viewed by optimists as the beginning of a larger high-speed rail network in Florida.
In a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Scott said the federal dollars "are better invested in higher yield projects" such as widening Interstate 4 in Central Florida, I-95 through Martin, St. Lucie, Brevard and Volusia counties and port-dredging projects in Jacksonville and Miami to accommodate larger container ships. ...
LaHood, in a statement, said he was disappointed by Scott, but added "there is overwhelming demand for high-speed rail in other states that are enthusiastic to receive Florida's funding and the economic benefits it can deliver." ...
U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, was among many upset by Scott derailing the train.
"I am deeply disappointed in the decision to not move forward with the Orlando to Tampa passenger rail project," Mica said in a statement. "This is a huge setback for the state of Florida, our transportation, economic development, and important tourism industry.''
While Scott might prefer to widen the Interstate, he won't have that option. When Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and Ohio Gov. John Kasich also rejected high-speed rail money for their states late last year, the federal government redirected the money to several other states with HSR projects, including, ironically, Florida.
A study by the Boston-based Economic Development Research Group commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Mayors concluded in 2010 that high-speed rail installations would have major positive impacts on the four metropolitan areas it studied:
In Los Angeles, up to $7.6 billion per year in new business, including $4.3 billion per year in Gross Regional Product (GRP) growth and up to 55,000 jobs. In Chicago, up to $6.1 billion per year in new business, including up to $3.6 billion per year in GRP growth and up to 42,000 jobs. In Orlando, up to $2.9 billion per year in new business, including up to $1.7 billion per year in GRP growth and up to 27,500 jobs. In Albany, up to $2.5 billion per year in new business, including up to $1.4 billion per year in GRP growth and up to 21,000 jobs.
Additionally, HSR's projected larger flow of passengers will lead to increased tourism and business travel, generating additional spending at local hotels, restaurants and retail stores. Projections show that by 2035, HSR can annually add roughly $255 million in the Orlando area; $147 million in the Los Angeles area; more than $100 million in the Albany-Saratoga area; and $42 million in the Chicago area.
Planning for the past is big with these Republican governors. Planning for the future, in their view, is apparently only relevant in Europe, Japan and China.
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Diarists Inspector Javert and AlexXx are discussing the issue here and here.
