In a press release, Florida U.S. Senator Bill Nelson is waxing about being “grateful” to both Governor Rick Scott and U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, after it was announced that LaHood is giving the state one more week (again) to present a package to his department to receive the $2.4 billion in federal financing for high speed rail route.
Yes, we have been here before. And yes, officials are poised to get set up and devastated now for a third time when Scott ultimately rejects the proposal.
Let me take that back. Perhaps the Governor all of a sudden does have a new, open mind on the issue. Perhaps he thinks the documents presented to him this week we’re really insufficient in terms of protecting the Florida taxpayer. Perhaps he may acquiesce now that he’s made his point. Perhaps he got all weak in the knees in the presence of Secretary LaHood.
Color us skeptical.
Nevertheless, this now becomes the story That Will Not Die. More on this next week.
This article appears in Feb 24 – Mar 2, 2011.
