Rep. Scott Randolph (D-Orlando) blasted Governor Rick Scott’s decision to return over $2 billion already set aside for Florida’s high speed rail project. Rep. Randolph issued the following statement:
“I thought Governor Rick Scott wanted to put Floridians back to work? Here we are two months into his term and the only thing he has done is propose budget cuts that put middle class Floridians out of work,” Rep. Scott Randolph said. “Now he’s turning down funded projects that would directly create jobs. Florida has an 11.6 percent unemployment rate. We simply cannot afford to lose out on the thousands of jobs high speed rail would bring to the state.
“Let me be clear: Governor Rick Scott does not speak for me, nor does he speak for the district I represent. Orlando desperately needs jobs. If Florida does not keep this high speed rail money, it will go to other states. Why should Florida be left in the dust as other states move forward? Why should middle class Floridians continue to suffer the indignity of long-term unemployment as other states put their citizens back to work? Florida deserves this opportunity.
“Today I call on my fellow legislators, particularly those whose districts will be directly affected, to speak out against this disastrous decision. Governor Rick Scott must reverse his decision to stifle job opportunities and economic growth in Florida.”
