By Trimmel Gomes
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-953929.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Governor Rick Scott is standing firm with his decision to reject more than two billion dollars for a high-speed rail line. As Florida Public Radio's Trimmel Gomes reports the governor is also skeptical about the SunRail commuter train in Central Florida that was approved in 2009.
Despite all the lobbying by Senator Bill Nelson and other lawmakers asking Scott to reconsider, he says he's not convinced.
"I've said all along, that I don't believe that I don't believe that there is anyway that the taxpayer should be on the hook for the cost overruns, the operating cost of that or for the risk if it gets shutdown and we have
to give 2.4million dollars back."
Scott used South Florida's tri-rail line as an example, saying that only 1/6 of the operating cost is paid by those who use it. Backers of the train are still hoping to change Scott's mind before Friday's deadline as the funds could go to another state willing to build a high-speed train.