[Kevin from Tampa]

there are numerous stories out on the web about it, but he basically said...

1-It puts Fla taxpayers at risk due to expected cost overruns
2-Ridership estimates are overblown (the estimates of this line are close to that of the Acela line, which connects NY/Boston/DC)
3-It's a waste of taxpayer money

[bbronston]

Frankly, it seems like a sound position at this point in time.

[Dappleganger]

Where are those +750,000 jobs he promised?

[sim123]

Pretty good decision. That project has every warning sign attached to it that anyone can imagine. Gov. Perry probably saved Florida tax payers a lot of money today.

Let's face it. The USA has it's own unique ways, which also applies to transportation. Uniqueness made it great in the first place, not copying others.

[beachmouse]

He's already in trouble with legislators over it because the money was legally appropriated by the state legislature for the project last year.

Senators call Scott's decision short-sighted, tragic, and technically not allowed | Florida politics blog: The Buzz | tampabay.com & St. Petersburg Times

Senate budget chairman J.D. Alexander said he was told of the governor's announcement via a text message but warned that the governor doesn't have the authority to unilaterally cancel the project.

"The Constitution doesn't allow the governor to not-spend appropriations funds" and there is $300 million appropriated in the budget to put into development of the rail line between Orlando and Tampa, Alexander said.

Civics lesson of the day- a governor has a very different job and limitations than a corporate CEO, something that's starting to come around and bit Scott in an unfortunate place.

[Sabal77]

Fantastic news! The taxpayers' credit card is maxed out. It takes guts for Scott to stand up to the entrenched interests and look out for the Florida taxpayer.

[Maggi07]

Originally Posted by beachmouse

Civics lesson of the day- a governor has a very different job and limitations than a corporate CEO, something that's starting to come around and bit Scott in an unfortunate place.

Regardless of how he feels on the subject, he can't step in and do whatever he wants whenever he wants to. Nor should he be able to. He scares me because he seems to think he can, and not just with the potential rail system.

[chopchop0]

Originally Posted by Kevin from Tampa

there are numerous stories out on the web about it, but he basically said...

1-It puts Fla taxpayers at risk due to expected cost overruns
2-Ridership estimates are overblown (the estimates of this line are close to that of the Acela line, which connects NY/Boston/DC)
3-It's a waste of taxpayer money

Originally Posted by bbronston

Frankly, it seems like a sound position at this point in time.

Originally Posted by whitesandbeachbum

Fantastic news! The taxpayers' credit card is maxed out. It takes guts for Scott to stand up to the entrenched interests and look out for the Florida taxpayer.

He pretty much took a page out of the Chris Christie playbook (The governor from NJ who shutdown the NJ-NY transit project). Good for him. The FL taxpayers will be responsible for any cost overruns, and it's more than likely that this will be a long-term money loser.

For reference:

NJ Gov Christie Kills Hudson Tunnel Project - Gothamist

Chris Christie Kills Train Tunnel to New York, Again - NYTimes.com

Chris Christie, the Republican governor of New Jersey, put a second and final stop on Wednesday morning to the most expensive public works project under way in the country, a proposed rail tunnel under the Hudson River that could have doubled commuter-train service to Manhattan.

Mr. Christie had canceled the project earlier this month, saying that New Jersey could not afford its rising share of the projected costs. Then, pressed by federal officials to reconsider, he agreed to wait two weeks while alternative financing plans could be drawn up.

But, in the end, Mr. Christie said the taxpayers of New Jersey would still be liable for cost overruns that could run into the billions of dollars.

[gypsychic]

Even though I didn't vote for Scott, and until recently also thought the rail system would have been a good thing, I think he ultimately did the right thing. I am sure the cost would have been much higher than projected and the ridership much lower. Florida would have been on the hook big-time.

I still would like to see an improved bus system, with nice express buses running between cities among other things.

[Sabal77]

Originally Posted by gypsychic

Even though I didn't vote for Scott, and until recently also thought the rail system would have been a good thing, I think he ultimately did the right thing. I am sure the cost would have been much higher than projected and the ridership much lower. Florida would have been on the hook big-time.

I still would like to see an improved bus system, with nice express buses running between cities among other things.

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