Why Does Florida Need Amtrak?

[mtraininjax]

Amtrak. He stated yesterday he wants to use the money instead on ROADS, RAILS and PORTS.

Where do you see the flaw in that logic? RR&P?

[dougskiles]

The voting public didn't decide to send back the $2.4 billion (proven by the vocal outrage across the state), one individual did.  The quote basically means personal politics (which in this case appears to be non fact based) should not be able to trump realistic transportation needs.  If Rick, doesn't like the concept of rail, he doesn't have to ride on it.  However, he should not be able to kill such a major project on his own because of a political or personal bias.

Then he should have said 'personal agenda' and not 'politics'.  It was confusing to me for a politician to tell another politician that politics should not be part it.

[thelakelander]

Mtrain, did he miss what just happened to Wisconsin and Ohio?  Its flawed in that the $2.4 billion is federally specified for HSR.  So, if he passes on it, its going to HSR projects in other states.  If he wants money for roads, other rail projects and ports, he needs to tab into the dedicated funding mechanisms to get them or fund them with state money.  A having a governor who doesn't understand how federal funding works is a huge flaw, imo.

[mtraininjax]

The voting public didn't decide to send back the $2.4 billion (proven by the vocal outrage across the state), one individual did.

I didn't vote for Obama, and I didn't vote for the people who are forcing me to have healthcare, so where do I get off that train?

[mtraininjax]

A having a governor who doesn't understand how federal funding works is a huge flaw, imo.

40 days into it and you are ready to throw him out with the bathwater. Great, I guess we should all brace ourselves for Hurricane season?

[thelakelander]

Then he should have said 'personal agenda' and not 'politics'.  It was confusing to me for a politician to tell another politician that politics should not be part it.

This HSR along the I-4 stuff dates back decades.  Growing up in Central Florida and knowing the history of all of this, it wasn't confusing to me.  

[thelakelander]

A having a governor who doesn't understand how federal funding works is a huge flaw, imo.

40 days into it and you are ready to throw him out with the bathwater. Great, I guess we should all brace ourselves for Hurricane season?

I'm an Independent, so I could really care less about both party platforms.  However, I do think its foolish to give away a chance at having $2.4 billion spent in our state and the potential of thousands of jobs being created here, without more in depth vetting.  Especially considering the guy has only been in office for 40 days.  That's not a lot of time to really dig into the details and decide to have your $2.4 billion spent in California, Texas, Illinois and New York, instead of the state you claim you want to create jobs in.  I'm not alone in this matter either.  A veto-proof majority of the Florida Senate has the same position.

[mtraininjax]

That's not a lot of time to really dig into the details and decide to have your $2.4 billion spent in California, Texas, Illinois and New York, instead of the state you claim you want to create jobs in.

Lake, you appear to ONLY be looking at this argument from the HSR point of view. What about the Ports, what about the railroad expansions here in NE Florida, to assist the port. Did you see the Business Journal today and the article that the Port is going to spend 2 million more to expand the rail service to Blount Island since they expect to see 100,000 more cars this year than last?

I don't really care what happens to the land of the evil mouse and those south of it. I'm selfish and greedy for NE Florida. I'm honest and passionate for that greed and I want us to succeed more than the rest of the state. That's my angle, I'm still trying to figure out why all I have heard from you is I-4, HSR and manufacturing jobs for Central Florida.

[thelakelander]

Because it has nothing to do with the port, highways or anything else you may believe is a higher priority.  Its a dedicated federal fund for HSR construction.  If its not spent in this state, it won't be redirected to Florida ports, highways or other rail projects.  It will go to other HSR projects in OTHER STATES.  

Also, what makes you think a HSR manufacturing facility would end up in Central Florida?  The reason for constructing a facility would be to market the product to the rest of the US as HSR expands.  Considering our location and us being a rail hub, I'd say NE Florida has a great chance at benefitting.  We just have to get off the couch and get in the game.

[mtraininjax]

Because it has nothing to do with the port, highways or anything else you may believe is a higher priority.  Its a dedicated federal fund for HSR construction.  If its not spent in this state, it won't be redirected to Florida ports, highways or other rail projects.  It will go to other HSR projects in OTHER STATES. 

Also, what makes you think a HSR manufacturing facility would end up in Central Florida?  The reason for constructing a facility would be to market the product to the rest of the US as HSR expands.  Considering our location and us being a rail hub, I'd say NE Florida has a great chance at benefitting.  We just have to get off the couch and get in the game

HSR is dead in Florida, the sooner you realize it, the sooner we can move on to productive discussions.

I would rather the state focus on Ports, Railroads, and Roads.

[thelakelander]

The HSR deadline is February 25th.  Hopefully, our business community, attorneys, senators and congressmen will find away around Scott, so our economic opportunity can be fully vetted by the private sector.  However, ports, railroads and roads are a completely different focus from a funding standpoint.  I would hope we can focus on improving all of them and other areas as well, simultaneously.

[mtraininjax]

Hopefully, our business community, attorneys, senators and congressmen will find away around Scott, so our economic opportunity can be fully vetted by the private sector.

I don't see any way of it, but I wish you luck in finding it.

[thelakelander]

If they fail, I'll congratulate CA, IL and NY for benefitting from our loss.  In the meantime, you can focus on helping Scott convince Obama to take Florida's HSR money back from those states for use on our ports instead.

[Mattius92]

I understand that there is probably better things to spend $2.4 billion on, but if it can only be used for HSR, and its being offered to the state of Florida, why reject it. How often does a state get offered funding of that magnitude for public transit. While I have already seen some flaws in the plan, like the lack of a connection between the proposed HSR and the SunRail system being build in Orlando. Also I do say the stations are a little extravagant, could save some by making them a little less extravagant. Despite it all, this could be a major step toward a statewide HSR system. Risks have to be made, but this HSR plan has been moving along at full throttle until two days ago when Scott cut the power.

Anyways connectivity to ports such as JaxPort, is a CSX and COJ issue, not as much as a state issue. If Jaxport and CSX worked together I am pretty sure they could get better connectivity to the port. Oh and what about that 9B... lol. Looks like I covered, ports, rail and roads...

[JeffreyS]

Remember when Charlotte received the light rail money Orlando rejected. Now they have shown us all how it should be done and the wise will follow.