This just came in to us from the City of Orlando Mayor's office:
Statement from Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer regarding Florida High Speed Rail.
Yesterday, the Mayors of Orlando, Tampa, Lakeland and Miami reached out to Governor Scott to make it unmistakably clear that the Orlando to Tampa High Speed Rail project could be built without one dime from Florida taxpayers and absolutely no risk to the state.
Unfortunately, it appears Governor Scott has chosen to ignore these facts and has reiterated his decision to reject federal funding for the project as well as Florida’s inclusion in an eventual state and nationwide high speed rail network.
This is an incredibly disappointing turn of events for the residents of our state who desperately need jobs and now face a future of increasingly gridlocked roads and the potential for five and six dollar a gallon gasoline.
While I am disappointed that Florida will not break ground on high speed rail this year, I am in awe of the work that was done by so many people in the last few weeks who fought to save this once in a generation project. This broad coalition of Florida’s elected leaders, residents and businesses worked tirelessly to deliver a plan that would have allowed the private sector to take on the cost and risk of the project. It is truly a shame that Floridians are going to miss out on the many benefits of high speed rail.
I also want to thank the United States Department of Transportation and Secretary Ray LaHood for their level of patience and cooperation. It’s clear that our federal partners realize the importance of Florida as a critical part of America’s high speed rail network.
While I share the frustration of millions of Floridians during this moment of great disappointment, I remain committed to working toward a day when High Speed Rail will be a reality for us, a reality that creates jobs and prosperity for everyone who calls our great state home.
Statement from Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer regarding Florida High Speed Rail.
Yesterday, the Mayors of Orlando, Tampa, Lakeland and Miami reached out to Governor Scott to make it unmistakably clear that the Orlando to Tampa High Speed Rail project could be built without one dime from Florida taxpayers and absolutely no risk to the state.
Unfortunately, it appears Governor Scott has chosen to ignore these facts and has reiterated his decision to reject federal funding for the project as well as Florida’s inclusion in an eventual state and nationwide high speed rail network.
This is an incredibly disappointing turn of events for the residents of our state who desperately need jobs and now face a future of increasingly gridlocked roads and the potential for five and six dollar a gallon gasoline.
While I am disappointed that Florida will not break ground on high speed rail this year, I am in awe of the work that was done by so many people in the last few weeks who fought to save this once in a generation project. This broad coalition of Florida’s elected leaders, residents and businesses worked tirelessly to deliver a plan that would have allowed the private sector to take on the cost and risk of the project. It is truly a shame that Floridians are going to miss out on the many benefits of high speed rail.
I also want to thank the United States Department of Transportation and Secretary Ray LaHood for their level of patience and cooperation. It’s clear that our federal partners realize the importance of Florida as a critical part of America’s high speed rail network.
While I share the frustration of millions of Floridians during this moment of great disappointment, I remain committed to working toward a day when High Speed Rail will be a reality for us, a reality that creates jobs and prosperity for everyone who calls our great state home.