Gov. Rick Scott has hesitated to get on board with a pair of high profile rail projects in the state, but he said a review of contracts involving the controversial SunRail train, was not a sign of his opposition to the project.
“It’s just part of the review on the contracts….” Scott told reporters after the Cabinet meeting Tuesday. “There is no political decision on SunRail or anything like that.”
Last week, Scott froze four contracts for SunRail that were put out by the Department of Transportation totaling $235 million as part of his review of all agreements over $1 million.
Additionally, Scott has said he would not sign off on accepting about $2.4 billion for another train – a high speed rail connecting Tampa and Orlando – that has been offered by the federal government until he sees a feasibility study due this month.
Supporters of the trains who are close to Scott have maintained that neither decision means he is against the projects, which some political observers have speculated.
Nonetheless, there is concern that further delays of SunRail contracts could bring about hundreds of job losses, undermining Scott’s commitment to generate jobs with more than 1.1 million Floridians unemployed.
The News Service of Florida
