Tyrant 1, Florida 0

The state Supreme Court ruled on Friday against the people of Florida, siding with Gov. Rick Scott, saying that he could reject the $2.4 billion already awarded by the federal government to the state for high speed rail.

Senators Thad Altman and Arthenia Joyner who argued that Scott had over-stepped his authority by canceling the high speed rail, earlier this week brought their case to the state’s highest court to get the governor to accept the federal monies. They argued that lawmakers had already approved the project in December 2009, prior to Scott taking office.

But the Supreme Court in a brief statement noted, “The Court has reviewed the petition, response, and reply, has heard oral argument, and has considered the factual allegations and legal arguments. Based on the limited record before the Court and a review of the federal and state law relied on by the parties, the Court has determined that the petitioners have not clearly demonstrated entitlement to …. relief. Accordingly, the emergency petition is hereby denied.”

See one-page ruling of Florida Supreme Court here.

Reacting quickly to the Supreme Court’s ruling Scott spoke to the U.S. DOT Secretary Ray LaHood informing him that Florida will focus on other infrastructure projects and will not move forward with any federal high speed rail plan.

Orlando’s Mayor Buddy Dyer said in a statement on Friday that Scott chose to ignore the fact that the Orlando to Tampa bullet train would have been built without costing the Florida taxpayers “one dime” and “absolutely at no risk to the state.”  The Mayors of Tampa, Orlando, Lakeland and Miami had sent a letter to Scott addressing the remaining concerns he expressed in a meeting Monday evening, but apparently to no avail.

“Unfortunately, it appears Governor Scott has chosen to ignore these facts and has reiterated his decision to reject federal funding for the project as well as Florida’s inclusion in an eventual state and nationwide high speed rail network,” Dyer said in a statement. “….While I am disappointed that Florida will not break ground on high speed rail this year….and share the frustration of millions of Floridians during this moment of disappointment, I remain committed to working toward a day when High Speed Rail will be a reality for us, a reality that creates jobs and prosperity for everyone who calls our great state home.”

With Scott’s rejection of the high speed rail funds for the third time, LaHood said in a statement, there were several states enthusiastic to receive additional support for their high speed rail plans, delivering “all the economic benefits to their citizens.”