Two state senators, Arthenia Joyner (D-Tampa) and Thad Altman (R-Melbourne) joined today to file a lawsuit filed against Gov. Rick Scott for rejecting $2.4 billion in federal funds for the Orlando to Tampa bullet train.
Altman and Joyner believe that Scott has over-reached by stopping the construction of the high speed rail system and is “unconstitutionally exercising legislative authority”, which he does not have.
“The Governor, by his actions of refusing to accept funds coming to the State of Florida from the federal government, is unconstitutionally exercising legislative authority by effectively reducing the appropriations of the State of Florida, a unilateral power which the Governor has not been granted under the State’s Constitution”, Altman and Joyner state.
At a press conference today, Senator Joyner said, “This is a non-partisan lawsuit because everybody has a stake in this. The stakeholders are the 18.5 million people of this great state. It’s necessary at this time – I think, because our governor’s new – to let him know this is not a monarchy, he’s not a king, this is a democracy.”
The lawsuit argues that it is only the Florida Legislature that is the sole entity with the power to appropriate funds, including federal funds.
“This issue is one of great constitutional significance,” said Senator Altman. “Our founding fathers created a system of three separate and co-equal branches of government. Clearly the governor’s actions have exceeded his constitutional authority. To maintain the integrity of our democracy, it is incumbent that we assert the rights of the people who elect their representatives. And the Supreme Court is the proper venue to seek relief.”
The Governor “cannot usurp this power short of a constitutional amendment”, the lawsuit states.
