But at the same time, Florida Sen. Bill Nelson (D) trumpeted a study released Wednesday by his state transportation officials showing that the proposed train connecting Tampa and Orlando would have generated a $10 million surplus in its first year of operation.
Gov. Scott, in rejecting the funds, had argued that the train would generate losses the state government in Florida would have to make up.
“As John Adams once said, ‘Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of the facts and evidence,’” Nelson said in a statement, referring to the state DoT study.
“Gov. Rick Scott had these facts in-hand when he made his decision to strike down $2.4 billion from the federal government for high-speed rail two weeks ago,” Nelson said.
Nelson said he still had hope that LaHood would allow a consortium of Florida cities to compete with states like New Jersey for the rejected money.
“I still have a sliver of hope that common sense and the facts will prevail,” Nelson said.