[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 28 (Monday, February 28, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H1376]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    FLORIDA HIGH SPEED RAIL FUNDING

  (Ms. BROWN of Florida asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. BROWN of Florida. Mr. Speaker and Members of the House, I rise 
today very disappointed with the Governor of the State of Florida, Rick 
Scott. Last week, the Governor told Transportation Secretary LaHood 
that the State of Florida could do without $2.5 billion in Federal 
highway funds for rail. This money poses no risk to the people of 
Florida and would create over 60,000 jobs for Floridians.
  Unfortunately, Florida's Governor seems to be much more interested in 
politics than in creating jobs or improving the transportation system 
for the great people of Florida. Turning down high speed rail funds 
would do nothing to bring down Florida's 12 percent unemployment and, 
in some areas, 15 percent. Indeed, the high speed rail plan for Florida 
serves as a true example of a successful public-private partnership 
and, as DOT statistics show, for every $1 billion we spend in rail, it 
generates 42,000 permanent jobs.
  I urge Governor Scott, who has until this Friday, to change his mind 
and fulfill his campaign promise of ``Let's Get to Work.''

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