Florida governor takes credit for high-speed rail cut in budget deal

Congress had appropriated $2.5 billion for high-speed rail last year, but House Republicans were intent on cutting at least $1 billion of it this year.

The $2.4 billion that had been slated to go to Florida includes money from the 2009 federal economic stimulus package, so it was not all included in the 2011 budget deal.

Additionally, Department of Transportation officials told The Hill this that the budget cut would not affect grants that have already been offered.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has made Florida’s $2.4 billion available to other states. He said 24 states, the District of Columbia and Amtrak had applied for it.

LaHood said the response showed their was “bipartisan enthusiasm” for high-speed rail, despite rejections of the money by Scott and Republican governors in Ohio and Wisconsin.