Kathy Castor calls Rick Scott’s rejection of over $2 billion for high speed rail “devastating”

Press releases from Democrats denouncing Rick Scott for his decision earlier on Wednesday to reject the $2.4 billion of federal funds already allocated to Florida for a high speed-rail-line are flying furiously through cyberspace.

No doubt the business, political and professional classes in Tampa are shattered to hear this news (the Tampa 9/12 project is ecstatic).

One of the biggest advocates for the project has been the city's Democratic Congresswoman Kathy Castor, who in her press release accuses the still newbie Governor (on the job just over six weeks now) of promoting his "rigid Ideology" ahead of the best interests of Floridians.

"Governor Scott’s decision demonstrates a devastating lack of vision for Florida and a lack of understanding of our economic situation. He should immediately reconsider his decision in order to save these jobs and not send the investment dollars to California and other states.

“The governor put his own rigid ideology ahead of the best interests of Florida’s businesses, workers and families. High-speed rail is projected to create thousands and thousands of jobs in our state. The governor’s campaign slogan was ‘let’s get to work,’ but his refusal to accept vital investment dollars eliminates the opportunity to put thousands of Floridians to work in construction, engineering, architecture and most all areas of Florida’s economy.

“This is not a partisan issue. All thoughtful Floridians have pointed out that this initiative may be our sole opportunity to invest in a significant infrastructure project for Florida, with its jobs and economic hope for the future. Turning down these jobs and investment dollars does nothing to reduce the nation’s deficit. Instead, the billions of investment dollars and thousands of jobs will simply go to other states – states whose governors understand the jobs and economic benefits that are at stake rather than bow to rigid ideological forces. Our neighbors in Tampa Bay and Central Florida will be condemned to I-4 traffic jams in the decades ahead with little hope for economic growth, unless the governor reconsiders.

“For years, Florida has fought for its fair share of federal money, often lagging behind other states. Turning your back on Floridians and jobs is absolutely the wrong thing to do.”

This article appears in Feb 10-16, 2011.