Happening Now

Did "petty politics" kill Florida HSR?

November 5, 2013

Written By Ross Capon

The Atlantic Cities has an interesting discussion of how and why Florida Gov. Rick Scott killed the state’s high speed rail project. It is based on a Tampa Tribune report about communications between Scott and Republican State Senator Paula Dockery. There is evidence that the decision was driven by “petty politics” rather than “fiscal prudence.”

Here is a key sentence: “What’s most upsetting about the Tribune report – though in a way also a little encouraging – is that it shows the death of Obama’s high-speed rail plan was not inevitable. Many Republicans involved in the story clearly favored the idea…”

The piece ends by suggesting that “Scott’s decision to halt high-speed rail may soon bring his own time in office to an end.” His predecessor Charlie Crist, now a Democrat, is leading in the polls.

Rendering of a would-have-been Florida High-Speed Rail station.

Comments

"It is an honor to be recognized by the Rail Passengers Association for my efforts to strengthen and expand America’s passenger rail. Golden spikes were once used by railroads to mark the completion of important rail projects, so I am truly grateful to receive the Golden Spike Award as a way to mark the end of a career that I’ve spent fighting to invest in our country’s rail system. As Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, it has been my priority to bolster funding for Amtrak, increase and expand routes, look to the future by supporting high-speed projects, and improve safety, culminating in $66 billion in new funding in the Bipartisan infrastructure Law."

Representative Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
March 30, 2022, on receiving the Association's Golden Spike Award for his years of dedication and commitment to passenger rail.