DOT gives Florida more time on HSR

In a move possibly reflecting Florida’s political significance, the Department of Transportation has extended by one week its deadline for a decision by the Sunshine State to use, or reject, federal funds for high speed rail.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott last Thursday reaffirmed his decision to reject federal HSR funding, but subsequent objections from several state legislators, many of them Republicans like Scott, generated enough political turmoil to prompt DOT to extend its deadline.

Scott says he himself has not asked for any such extension. “I believe high-speed rail is a federal boondoggle, as I said more than a week ago,” the governor said. But Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, in a statement, said Scott “has committed to making a final decision by the end of next week [March 4]. I feel we owe it to the people of Florida, who have been working to bring high speed rail to their state for the last 20 years, to go the extra mile.”

State HSR backers are suggesting the Scott overstepped his authority to reject $2.38 billion, and they urged LaHood to give the state more time. But Tea Party members, a key component to Scott’s base, are urging him to hold firm to his decision.