By James Call
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-955402.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – Two state senators have asked the Florida Supreme Court to order Gov. Rick Scott to take $2.4 billion in federal money for a high-speed rail project. James Call reports, the bipartisan lawsuit argues that state law requires the new Republican governor to accept the money.
The suit was filed Tuesday by Sens. Thad Altman, a Rockledge Republican, and Arthenia Joyner, a Tampa Democrat. Scott opposes the Tampa-Orlando project because he said it will stick taxpayers with billions in subsidies. But Joyner said t the decision to build was made by a previous Legislature and Governor Scott overstepped his authority when he killed the project.
"Because our governor is new -- to let him know that this is not a monarchy, he is not a king. This is a democracy, and there are three co-equal branches of government and it is necessary for them to be respected."
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has given Scott until Friday to accept a modified plan for local governments to manage the project instead of the state.