Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
DOT

Florida Gov. Rick Scott Chooses Politics Over Constituents, Rejects HSR Funds

Florida Governor Rick Scott announced today he would forfeit $2 billion in federal grants to build a high-speed rail line between Orlando and Tampa.

Florida Governor Rick Scott: hot on road spending, cool on rail. Photo: ##http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2011/01/florida-gov-rick-scott-appoints.html## Joe My God##

The announcement ended months of speculation about whether Scott would join fellow Republican Governors John Kasich (Ohio) and Scott Walker (Wisconsin) in turning down federal funds for expanding passenger rail in the U.S. -- an important initiative of the Obama administration.

In his announcement, Scott included a lengthy indictment of President Obama's policies and recently-released 2012 budget.

"We cannot expect individuals to build businesses in America if our taxes are higher than other countries," he said. "Let us never forget, whether it is Washington or Tallahassee, government has no resources of its own. Government can only give to us what it has previously taken from us."

But, like his counterparts in the Midwest, Scott does not seem to favor an equally austere approach for the state's highways.

"Rather than investing in a high-risk rail project, we should be focusing on improving our ports, rail and highway infrastructure to be in a position to attract the increased shipping that will result when the Panama Canal is expanded," he said.

In a statement following the announcement, Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said other states would be happy to accept the money Florida rejected, as well as the accompanying jobs:

We are extremely disappointed by Governor Rick Scott’s decision to walk away from the job creating and economic development benefits of high speed rail in Florida. This project could have supported thousands of good-paying jobs for Floridians and helped grow Florida businesses, all while alleviating congestion on Florida’s highways. Nevertheless, 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.

Officials from the U.S. High-Speed Rail Association chalked Scott's decision up to putting political ambitions over the interests of his constituents. The project had also attracted significant interest on the part of private developers, who would have provided as much as 10 percent of the project costs, USHSR added.

"National and state organizations are mobilizing to appeal this decision and explore alternative ways to bring high speed rail to Florida, utilizing the funding, engineering and momentum already generated around the project," the organization said in a statement.

The rail advocacy organization America 2050 recently rated the Florida high-speed rail line the most feasible in the nation on the basis of project readiness and public ownership of the right of way for the initial segment.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Is Sec. Duffy Holding NY Transit Hostage To Negotiate Away The Rest of America’s Transportation Future?

The federal Transportation secretary is using two large transit projects as a bargaining chip to bully Congress into passing a budget that could be disastrous for communities across the country.

October 3, 2025

Friday’s Headlines Shut It Down

The government shutdown looks like it will be just another excuse for the Trump administration to cancel transportation projects unless blue states bend the knee.

October 3, 2025

Can Pedestrian Pop-Ups Go Permanent in the U.S.?

Can temporary pedestrian pop-ups spur permanent change?

October 3, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: Healthy Architecture, Healthy People

It is very unusual for an architecture project to pay any attention at all outside of the property line. And that has to change.

October 2, 2025

Report: A Third of Americans Can’t Rely On Cars — And 16 Million Have No Access At All

So why do we plan our cities like everyone can and does get behind the wheel every day?

October 2, 2025
See all posts