If you want to create rail that will payback, then build a light rail system and have it run along I drive, along 192, from the airport, and through Orlando at some point in the future, but not now. Now while business's are failing we need focus on new business development. Go look at some systems that are successful, look in Germany, look in Switzerland. Adopt a winning solution where light rail, or trams have priority over road traffic, this is how you build a winning solution.
If you want to create rail that will payback, then build a light rail system and have it run along I drive, along 192, from the airport, and through Orlando at some point in the future, but not now. Now while business's are failing we need focus on new business development. Go look at some systems that are successful, look in Germany, look in Switzerland. Adopt a winning solution where light rail, or trams have presidence over road traffic, this is how you build a winning solution.
sen nelson, if the rail bill passes ,based on your pro cheap labor global corporations open border anti american voting record, how many of the jobs will go to american workers and how many to the companies and contractors you whore for that will bring in cheap foreign workers on visa loopholes?
How do we impeach governor? We need High speed & Light rail Network throughout the state to help us reduce our oil,coal,gas. We can't afford oil. Unrest in Middle East will be a long time for THOSE states to work out. If we don't have rail & more energy alternatives to oil (FL uses highest percentage of oil for electric power too), we will go bankrupt personally, by business, by local governments, etc. Don't want to hear other avenues. FL must be in. Let's impeach the governor or...?
@dcdeland I couls support a light rail system network along the lines of Switzerland or Germany. Re Oil, we have over 100 yrs of oil, its our natural resources, its inexpensive, when you take away the government taxes. Drilling in one place would create 50,000 jobs. China needs oil, so we could sell it to them and pay down the deficit. Once we have the deficit under control, and have reduced the size of federal government, then we can think about high speed rail, but definitely not before.
High speed rail is the transportation of the future. This is an investment in our future prosperity and could be just the beginning of a transportation system that will connect all major cities in Florida. Go to any city in America with public transportation and you will see that people use it. Join the 21st century please.
the ones saying all evil gross things about senator Nelson and the high speed rails... work for oil companies.....that is where the lies are and the dirt....we want new clean cheaper energy....you can try to gross me out or use scare tactics....but i will keep being in the army of good....and we will win
Your the tool. Raped, you moron. That is the big picture asshole. What is your business? So the taxpayer should pay so you have a cheaper way to the port isn't that socialism? Oh I forgot socialism is ok when applied to benefit private business.
Go to Numbersusa to see nelsons voting record on immigration, he always sounds like a nice decent guy, looking at his votes agaisnt the american worker in favor of immigration groups, he is a open border, globalistic big corporate cheap labor lobby whore.
@mrhulot101 he's the closest thing I got to real representation in my whole state! and I do appreciate him getting strongly behind HSR. the fact that he thinks we should have a High speed rail line (like China does) may lend to less sinister motivations, maybe he just has a world is flat mentality, that's kind of what these things combined point to. whatever effect that might have you are free to say though, I think the world would be flat if people in the third world had a minimum wage and OSHA
Sen Nelson has one of the WOST voting records on immigration in Washington. At every opportunity when he could have voted to help the American worker he voted instead to favor immigration forces that benefit from it and pass all the social,economic and environmemtal costs onto the communities. In my town we have repeatedly seen contractors bring in foreign workers on phony visa programs claiming no Americans wanted the work while we have massive unemplyment. maybe we need rail,but nelson goes!
@wdaines2 Oil is running out. slowly but surely it's running out. Do you want America to be the only country to be caught with it's pants down? Even if a small percentage of Americans use HSR, that would likely be enough to cover operating costs until oil runs dry, and everyones on the damn train. Also, cities and culture will eventually form itself around this infrastructure and it will have increased ridership overtime regardless of oil availability.
@buzzmail33 If the main beneficiary is going to be the theme parks, and possibly of more value to Tampa, then let Tampa and the theme parks underwrite any budget overruns and the continued operations of a line.
Lets face it, current rail is not making a profit, so lets make some changes to turn this around. Nelson should get behind banning trucks from entering the state, force them all to use Rail. Is he going to do that? No, because he is a sell out to the unions who support trucking!
@Rayiw looked it up, CSX made 430 million in profits last year. Although i wouldn't necessarily disagree with banning trucks to reduce traffic. Home Builders and land developers profit greatly and most directly off of new roads and highways, are they asked to underwrite the highway system? no they are not. why does every other type of transportation get subsidized, but rail, which will sooner or later begin to pay for itself, is not considered deserving of that same money?
There is plenty of Oil for the next 100 yrs, and we also have natural gas. We should be getting this out the ground as quickly a possible and becoming a next exporter of oil to pay down the deficit. As soon as we start exporting oil, the cost of world oil will go down which will benefit everybody. We need nuclear power, then electric vehicles powered by hydrogen. Still there will be no benefit for long distance passenger trains, just for freight, get this off the roads!
I don't see that this provides enough value to the state, just to Disney and tourists but I don't think tourists are going to fly to Tampa just to ride the train.
You know that this will cost more than the grant from the government, which by the way is Tax payers Money. We should not pursue something that consumes tax payers money that will end up costing more to the taxpayer when the project goes over budget. If this is such a benefit, let private enterprises fund it.
@Rayiw tourists IN Orlando will be likely to go to ride the train to tampa, if the owners of Busch gardens and Adventureland (two themeparks in Tampa) arent brain dead they will entice people to come, and they;ll be able to get there in under an hour all without renting a car and buying gas as opposed to an hour 40 on a day w no traffic. Tourists will subsidize this line so that any Floridian who would like to ride the line can.
@buzzmail33 I'm from the UK, if there were public transport in place and making money at all points along the route that would be one thing. As you point out, some tourists may use the line, but not enough to pay for the running costs. The majority of tourists rent cars, which support the local economy, as it allows them to get to the different theme parks, restaurants, all contributing to the economy. If the train is going to take this revenue away, it will hurt the local economy.
@Rayiw the projected ridership by multiple studies I read at ( florida high speed rail dot org ) say that there is a projected ridership that would cover costs if tickets were 15-30 dollars. I don't thinka a majority of tourists rent cars. Anyone who visits Disney can already take a free bus from the airport, and ride free busses monorails and boats to get around disney property. if they coud do all that, and then get on a train that has a stop near another tourist area in orlando.new business
@gyfeliciano The 2004 amendment presented the Billion+ dollar commitment to the state for construct\on without addresing the benefits, and only won by a 5% margin, 48% of voters voted against it and FOR high speed rail. The current potential cost to the state is 280 million an amount that could be underwritten by a private company. if rick scott wasnt doing this just so Florida citizens couldnt benefit from obama's HSR push and wind up being more likely to vote for him.
Tampando or Orlampa...the largest mega-metropolitan area in the state and one of the most sprawling urban centers in the country. HELLO?? Reliable, modern, efficient public transportation is key to Florida's future. The rednecks want to ride swampbuggies and hummers to work, but we have to be realistic. This is not your crappy Amtrak line (which nobody wants to ride), it is modern transportation between two enormous metropolitan areas which are gradually converging.
We can make this work. We just need 70,000 users per day going from Tampa to Orlando at about $20 @ ticket. I'm sure Bill has that factored into his plan. Bill?
We can make this work. We just need 70,000 users per day going from Tampa to Orlando at about $20 @ ticket. I'm sure Bill has that factored into his plan. Bill?
People complained when we spent so much to build the US highway system too, as cars weren't so plentiful. What if we hadn't? The teaparty doesn't know how to invest in the future because they can't see it. Yesterday's highway system determined where most of the growth was. Tomorrow's high speed rail will too.
@debh2012 Neslon is an emploee of the people who has no idea what the Constitution he swore to uphold means. That makes him a liar. Now, maybe you would like to hold hands and sing Kumbaya with him, but it my book, a liar is a piece of shit...
High speed rail does not make sense for a line from Tampa to Orlando. The best line would be from Miami to Orlando. Railroads were built by private industry. They made a profit until autos came along followed by airplanes. Let the entreprenuers make the decision on the next mode of transport for profit. Government shoudl be there only to direct regarding land use. I agree with Governor Scott. It was a difficult decision to decline that much federal money.
that already is in the pipeline. the tampa - orlando line is expeted to join up with the miami orlando line that eventually will join the national rail system. be up to date with the facts before you make stupid statements like this.
@wdaines2 says you. multiple studies done over 40 years say that a HSR line from Tampa - Orlando at 15-30 dollars a ticket will have enough people riding it to pay for the lowest cost to construct potential new rail line in the US because the Gov already owns the right of way.
Bill Nelson is too socialistic for me. He is too much in love with unions and Obama's administration. He has NO grasp on reality or he would not be pushing such a superfluous project like HSR which is just another glorified Amtrack that has always run in the red.
@cnesporoaks Here is the same rhetoric bullsh#t that wants to fight Reps. against Dems. NEWSFLASH they are the same. Ignorant people that follow right wing nuts always blame unions and social programs. Unions did not create the economic meltdown.Don't you collect SS? Do you recieve a pension from any co. after you retired? Show of ignorance=vote against your own best interest.
@abbadabbadolittle to say they are the same is to give up. I beleive in Democrats much more often than Republicans, but it's important to remember that we have alot of common interests more than constantly shouting at eachother and having whatever opinion is opposite of "those other guys" - we're all on the same team, the American team. I believe High speed rail is right for florida, and I believe High speed rail will carry America into the future. a future with rising oil prices- till it's gone
don't let party affiliation becloud your judgement. the same kind of resistance met the interstate highway system from guys like you. today, that highway system has become indispensable and one can now travel by road from tampa to california, to canada, to new york and anywhere else in between. this project will make travelling to these areas even cheaper, faster and more comfortable. this is foresight.
How easy you throw those large numbers around like its pocket change. Wake up and take a look around, the government can not sustain the debit. You will enslave our children's children and sooner or later they will revolt.
Stop the abuse and bring real jobs back to our country, what good will a high speed train do if there is no one left working to ride it?
Why would a high speed rail from here to Orlando benefit anyone but Disney? I live in Clearwater and what we really need is a high speed rail from North to South that may actually help people who work every day. Lets look at the jobs issue Florida style -1 rich construction co. owner getting richer on tax-payer $ and a crap load of illegal aliens making minimum wage. Bullsh#t.
You are SOOOO right. Fix the infrastructure that's falling apart, the bridges that are crumbling, aging gas lines that explode unexpectedly, etc. States should keep 95% of their tax dollars instead of allowing govt to dole a percentage back to us and tell us what we should do with it., ENOUGH ALREADY! We're smart enough to run our own states--the govt sucks at it. Look at AMTRACK. We taxpayers spend millions yearly bailing it out of debt. Shelve this project till everything else is fixed.
@abbadabbadolittle your fucking stupid. You have no idea what is going on, shut your mouth until you learn a little bit more about economics and business
@sourpatch64 Yea I know about your business cocks#cker.One rich fuckhead makes millions on the back of illegals using tax-payer $. How is that for economics...gov contracts to scum paid for by the average taxpayer.Sooo suck it.
@abbadabbadolittle way to let your ignorance shine. You are spouting generalizations, grow up and learn how the world really works. Theres not only 10 people that will get rich, then a bunch of illegals get raped. Thats not how it works. I know FOR A FACT, that my business will profit on cheaper transportation to the ports in tampa. Ur a fucking tool who doesnt look at the bigger picture
I agree with you 100%, I was furious the last time they delayed it. We need public transportation desperately now without adding more roads and buses. It would be a wonderful 1st step towards solving some of our transportation issues making it one more thing to attract people and businesses to Florida. Good work Senator.
@sunbird102 A HSR going through three, count them three counties out of 67 in Florida doesn't help squat. How many people do you think go back and forth from Tampa To O town a day? 500 maybe, Now, how many do you think will use it? This will come back to the taxpayers, you can bank on that.
Who cares if the money that Gov. Scott refused goes to another state? At least Floridians can look the rest of the US taxpayers in the eye and tell them: It was not us that wasted $2.4 billion of your hard-earned tax dollars!
her's an idea, instead of HSR for Florida lets build Auto Bawn and raise the speed limit up to 100 MPH plus on strait highways like Germany. so people who wants to travel fast can have a freedem to drive that fast.
cont..It appears that everyone believes that we will always have oil. One day the well will run dry. The State of Florida will then not be ready for Mass Transit. People only use things when they are forced to. This will be a reality a lot sooner than what we would like to admit. We must prepare now for the future.
I also agree with Senator Nelson, we are long over due. The train would take alot of traffic off the highways, less traffic and fatal accidents. If the people would put forth an effort to ride the train and see what they have been missing. Plus all the jobs that this would create would help Florida get back up with the rest of the States. I'd like to see it run from Jacksonville to Miami. There would be more visitors and more money back in to the State.
Senator Nelson has always held Florida’s best interest at heart. He is a visionary leader that encourages growth and is trying to find ways to keep our current Space Program intact where thousands or more jobs will be lost. If we do not build infrastructure in Florida, we will end up in a state economy of IOU’s like California. One of the better known geologist’s told Washington that the oil supplies have been overstated in Saudi Arabia. Our gas prices will spiral out of control again.
Bill Nelson needs to serve the taxpayers of Florida and stop working for the Federal Government.So far everything he has been involved in has allowed government to grow, restrict citizens and over regulate.I support a Florida with less Federal Government funded bribes and a Senator that doesn't work for Washington.
Yes it is way overdue for a better road system. I agree 100% with Sen. Nelson on this subject. Commonsense alone should tell you if travel on these roads that they are out dated and there is no room to expand. Rick Scott is the devil in Governor clothing. He is a thief ... a proven thief. Anything he does will do nothing but harm & push Florida further back. Florida DOES need high-speed rail.
Other High speed Rail Countries are now government founded with high tax rates upkeep and maintenance issues Just like today’s interstates foreign HSR’s are now poorly founded with a yearly tax hike just to maintain it poorly. People don’t fall for the hype and glory it not there for a long term Glory trust me !
We do not have the right demand for it NOW ! Per population capita.
Sen. Nelson, I have to disagree with you ! A long term bill for a short term gain is not worth my tax dollarsIt 2.6Bil. For a 5 yr work force project, after the completion Floridians will pay for a long term high interest tax rate totaling (plus one of 3.9Bil. To 5Bil.) up to 15 yr pay off , IF just IF the economy gets back to 1/3rd avg. not to say it might just Might . Not willing to take this gamble !
Bill Nelson has the vision to see that we need alternative forms of transportation in Florida. High-speed rail will not only create 24,000 desperately needed jobs but reduce noise and air pollution and reduce congestion. Comparing high-speed rail to Amtrak is just ignorant!! And, calling Bill Nelson fiscally irresponsible is just wrong. Bill Nelson is trying to bring federal funds to the state and also attempting to find private money to pay for this project.
@carolynthepat2 there are no Federal funds to bring to the State of Florida or any were else, (Its debt) money our Goverment does not have!!! Folks wake up, our Goverment is spending the USA into the POOR House!! If Private money could make a profit on HSR it would. We have so many other things that need fixing!!! Please use some common sence here.
@29JohnL we're already in the poor house, this is an opportunity to spend money on America, and on Americans. a physical investment that cant get up and walk away to china, with jobs that cant be outsourced to india. Yes we need to take steps to reign in our deficit, canceling this wise investment in our future doesnt have to be one of them. Our unbalanced trade with China has already paid for their inter city highspeed rail system, what about us?
mmarabians um #1 you need to call your local mental health intervention service immediately,-- why to you have a link to the lunatic killer Loughner from Tuscon on your profile??? By all means let us know. And why this unvarnished support of Rick Scott and thief and criminal who stole millions from Medicare. NO SIR the money is still circulating its just not circulating to stimulate a damn thing that serves this State and its people. You damn well know the real criminal is SCOTT.
Floridians love thier cars, nobody will ride that shit. I took Amtak from Tampa to Miami and we kept stopping all along the way to p/up or drop off 2-3 people at a time. It's a massive Black Hole when done.
Looks like the media has done it's job and brainwashed every commenter on here, when progress in civilization is destroyed by your invisible slave master (money) you are going down the toilet as we speak. You spend money to make money. Govm't uses your tax money to build freeways & roads, auto makers make a profit. As a result your tax money subsidizes the Oil industry monopoly on transportation energy. I say build HSR infrastructure and have a private company figure out how to run at profit.
It is way past time for this. Florida desperately needs a modern solution to its overcrowded roads. There must be investments made in our state's future. Most of the money is already there. 90% of it. How can we pass up this opportunity?
We can not afford it . . . this is just another form of "Ear Marks" . . .another politician buying votes with hand outs . . . it has to stop . . . the only way I know to stop it is vote out those who but votes . . . vote Nelson out . . .
@rickrize Every single politician elected today has bought votes my friend. Democrat or Republican, they've both bought their votes. Stop being ignorant.
Gov Scott made a wise decision and Sen Nelson needs to have better facts before putting forth his distorted view of High Speed Rail. The vast majority of high speed rails systems throughout the world lose money and need subsidies from their governments. Siemens and the other suppliers and builders will go home when the job is finished and it will be the Florida taxpayers who get stuck with the bill. Western Europe, China and Japan have a much higher density of population and need rail - we don't
Where will this take place? Throughout the Atlantic margin? If it interferes with the Everglades or any wildlife/nature preserve, I don't support it. We cannot afford to put our ecosystem in jeopardy for some high speed machine. Nature gives us life, not a rail track.
We need this throughout the entire state. Especially with gas prices the way they are. Aside from that we have a large elderly popualtion that really shouldn't be driving, and many college aged students that could use the money they save by taking trains elsewhere as well.
If they built it a Spanish co. would get the contract. I 595 Ft. Lauderdale road work a Spanish company got the contract , you know SPAIN not America.
This is a solution in search of a problem. It's fine for China and Japan who don't have the road system we do. This is a state with great highways and "everyone" has a car, even tourists. I don't see the economic sense (for a 90 min drive). This group who oppose Scott's decision are builders and unions who are looking for a huge pot of money to steal from and their politico friends. Check out the "Big Dig" in MA.
I can't stand BIll Nelson - he's another Blue Dog Democrat that votes along party lines - if I were to guess, he's near incompetent and can barely read. NASA brainwashed the shit out of him before letting him out into the real world. Bill Nelson is clueless. Absolutely no intelligence whatsoever. He couldn't read a complete paragraph without pausing to save his own life. He's worse than listening to Obama (the master of content-free communication). BILL NELSON SUPPORTED THE BAILOUTS!!!!
As other states run into the red, I feel we Floridians should step up to the plate and allow this high speed rail to continue forward. Many will welcome this public transportation. Growing up as a child in NYC, everyone rode the trains. It was an accepted 'way of life'. If we cannot find the alotted funds to pay for it, maybe it's possible we withdraw from the Union and create our own DEBT free currency, and solve our own problems. It's time folks realized Washington is not the answer .
@juliasr4a - How can you compare Florida to New York City? Poor people are the only ones who will welcome it with open arms - right now they can't afford to go to Orlando- everyone else who works and doesn't receive government subsidy will be taxed and tolled to death to pay for it.
Why not put the money towards education and innovation of HHO - where cars run on water - so everyone could just drive there..that won't happen because some GOVT contractor needs to make millions off this project
Thank your Gov. Scott for killing this boondoggle in the making. There hasn't been a single study performed that shows HSR making money. It would operate in the red which would require tax dollars we don't have to make up for the shortfall. Newsflash Bill - WE'RE BROKE!!!!!
I hope that Jeb decides to run against Nelson. Shoot, I'd almost settle on Martinez giving it another go over Nelson.
I'm really surprised to see all the negativity towards the high speed rail project. I'd like to say how disappointed I am that Florida is pulling out. Yes, it is a HUGE sum of money but the old adage of 'It takes money to make money" is so true. To me, it's not just about jobs but it is about reviving our economy and creating a vibrant community. If you doubt that, visit Denver where they have added a great commuter train system that isn't even high speed. Florida needs to invest in itself.
Do you think all those billions come from the tooth fairy? Who in the world is going to go to a station (with a car) wait for the train, ride to Tampa and get another car when they could drive it in 90 minutes? You've lost your mind, Bill. And get your grimy fingers out of my pocket!
I would like to see the forensic economic analysis, but I do believe HSR is a needed infrastructure. You invest in some things for the future economic impact. HSR could be one. But HSR from Miami to Jacksonville would be even greater. It is analogous to the impact of the Flagler railway to Florida in the last century.
"If Florida doesn’t take the money, another state will." Some philosophy! You make me sick. That kind of thinking is why we are facing the debt crisis today. Thank God we have a Governor who is rejecting that tired way of thinking. I am ashamed of you, Senator Nelson. Looking forward to your defeat!
Our new governor is taking the state in the wrong direction and needs to be stopped! He apparently considers himself all-powerful with total disregard for the balance of power written into the Florida Constitution. It looks like it's going to be an uphill battle to keep him from completely destroying the state. Thank you for fighting for high-speed rail and for taking a stand on education and health care.
Florida voters have spoken. No High Speed Rail! Where is the remaining 10% going to come from? The Tax Payers! If politicians want this they should pay for it..In these economic times the money should be going to better use. The economy is in a horrible state right now. I don't think this will help. Most of the bids for all these jobs will go to big companies that have money anyways. It's the little people/middle class americans that will not profit from this at all. I don't see the benefit.
@gyfeliciano Florida doesn't need highspeed rail. It is laughable that people keep using China as the shining example for it. If the people of Florida make only a couple dollars a day then yes, we would need high speed rail to do business. In Central Florida we get tolled to death to subsadize something that our tax dollars should already be paying for. I say no to highspeed rail and no to short sighted polaticians...
@WinterHaven The Feds need to sue Florida! This is NOT about DRILL BABY DRILL! I'm saying to the Feds, SUE BABY SUE! Sue the crap out of Florida and for bypassing health care reform which was passed by Congress and happens to be legal under Article 1 Section 8 of the US Constitution. SUE BABY SUE! SUE BABY SUE! Yeah!
The Feds would have to sue the State of Florida to override his decision. Then again Florida is on the verge of exempting itself from Federal law ("Obama care") so that's another law suit against Florida. Ahh don't worry-Florida has plenty of money for litigation. Bring it on! Health care reform happens to be legal under Article 1 section 8 of the United States Constitution.
Gov. Rick Scott needs to pull out the money stuck up his ass from all the auto and insurance companies and let Florida have a better and more efficient transportation system. Florida really needs it!
The Senator is correct. I visit Florida from Atlanta when I can. For it to move towards a high speed rail network would improve tourism vastly. Not only for Southeast tourism, but also for a future New York -> Florida high speed line. The governor's short-sightedness, when Florida was poised on the leading edge of southeastern high speed rail, is INCOMPREHENSIBLE. #ScottFail
First....this is not "high speed rail", if you want to know what high speed rail is, look at China for examples of a truly high speed rail. What is proposed is slightly better than Amtrack. Secondly, this initial "investment" is just a drop in the bucket compared to what the sustainable costs will be afterward. Frankly, I am tired of politicians buying their votes with MY money. Gov. Scott is correct to squash this potential money pit for the people of Florida.
I think that Gov. Rick Scott has made an impulsive decision regarding high speed rail. He is congratulating himself for "rejecting ObamaTrain" and "ObamaRail". He is taking his personal vendetta against Pres. Obama and ruining the futures of millions of Floridians. Please organize along with others (check Twitter) to help recall this extremely dishonest Governor. Kudos to Dem. Sen. Nelson & Republican John Mica for standing up to be the voice for the people.
High speed rail WILL not bankrupt Florida or the US.
Ironically, while it is true that federal government spending is out of control and putting the whole of the US economy at grave risk, especially with the military industrial complex's unchecked monstrosity and so-called "defense" spending, infrastructure spending is one area that is critical if the US is to avoid becoming an also-ran, third world country. Florida's HSR plan is better than any other.
Actually most, if not all, public roads (esp. Interstates) do not pay for themselves and there are no expectations that a road will pay for itself, however many billions of taxpayers dollars are invested into those same roads.
Private companies have done research into it, and in Florida's case, were willing to help foot the State's bill and be responsible for overages for at least 20 years in order to take part in the 2 billion Federal investment.
If high speed rail were a worth while idea for Florida, a private company would have done it already. They haven't because anyone that does any research into it, or looks at what other states/countries have done, knows that it will always lose money and be unsustainable. I bet that the people that are for this now will be the same people that are crying and whining when there taxes go up significantly in 5-10 years, when the federal money runs out, to continue paying for this travesty.
Senator Nelson. You are so, so right. Governor Scott is a total idiot who just cannot comprehend the importance to Florida, and , the nation of High Speed Rail. Just as you stated, blocking HSR would be akin to having blocked the Interstate highway system back in the '50s. We cannot let this happen.!!
High speed rail from Tampa to Orlando is a joke. It would never get used enough to pay for itself and would simply further bankrupt our state and the nation.
Senator Nelson, you are a nice man, but this is just one more reason you will be voted out in the next election. Stop trying to force Florida to take gov't. blood money. This may produce jobs now, but it will bankrupt the state once it is completed. Unintended consequences. Stop it right now.
Hi speed rail in Florida or in anywhere but Northeast Corridor is a waste of tax payer money which we do not have. It may create jobs while building, but will never come close to paying for itself when it begins operations. Then the states would be forced to subsidize. Even the Corridor does not pay for itself.
I can take the Turnpike from Tampa to Orlando in an afternoon. What do we need a train for???
CountArtha 10 months ago
If you want to create rail that will payback, then build a light rail system and have it run along I drive, along 192, from the airport, and through Orlando at some point in the future, but not now. Now while business's are failing we need focus on new business development. Go look at some systems that are successful, look in Germany, look in Switzerland. Adopt a winning solution where light rail, or trams have priority over road traffic, this is how you build a winning solution.
Rayiw 1 year ago
If you want to create rail that will payback, then build a light rail system and have it run along I drive, along 192, from the airport, and through Orlando at some point in the future, but not now. Now while business's are failing we need focus on new business development. Go look at some systems that are successful, look in Germany, look in Switzerland. Adopt a winning solution where light rail, or trams have presidence over road traffic, this is how you build a winning solution.
Rayiw 1 year ago
FIRE BILL NELSON
sen nelson, if the rail bill passes ,based on your pro cheap labor global corporations open border anti american voting record, how many of the jobs will go to american workers and how many to the companies and contractors you whore for that will bring in cheap foreign workers on visa loopholes?
mrhulot101 1 year ago
How do we impeach governor? We need High speed & Light rail Network throughout the state to help us reduce our oil,coal,gas. We can't afford oil. Unrest in Middle East will be a long time for THOSE states to work out. If we don't have rail & more energy alternatives to oil (FL uses highest percentage of oil for electric power too), we will go bankrupt personally, by business, by local governments, etc. Don't want to hear other avenues. FL must be in. Let's impeach the governor or...?
dcdeland 1 year ago
@dcdeland I couls support a light rail system network along the lines of Switzerland or Germany. Re Oil, we have over 100 yrs of oil, its our natural resources, its inexpensive, when you take away the government taxes. Drilling in one place would create 50,000 jobs. China needs oil, so we could sell it to them and pay down the deficit. Once we have the deficit under control, and have reduced the size of federal government, then we can think about high speed rail, but definitely not before.
Rayiw 1 year ago
High speed rail is the transportation of the future. This is an investment in our future prosperity and could be just the beginning of a transportation system that will connect all major cities in Florida. Go to any city in America with public transportation and you will see that people use it. Join the 21st century please.
carolynthepat2 1 year ago
@carolynthepat2 It's an investment in a future of a volatile middle east and quickly vanishing oil supplies worldwide.
buzzmail33 1 year ago
wow
29JohnL 1 year ago
the ones saying all evil gross things about senator Nelson and the high speed rails... work for oil companies.....that is where the lies are and the dirt....we want new clean cheaper energy....you can try to gross me out or use scare tactics....but i will keep being in the army of good....and we will win
ElnaCopper 1 year ago
Your the tool. Raped, you moron. That is the big picture asshole. What is your business? So the taxpayer should pay so you have a cheaper way to the port isn't that socialism? Oh I forgot socialism is ok when applied to benefit private business.
abbadabbadolittle 1 year ago
Go to Numbersusa to see nelsons voting record on immigration, he always sounds like a nice decent guy, looking at his votes agaisnt the american worker in favor of immigration groups, he is a open border, globalistic big corporate cheap labor lobby whore.
mrhulot101 1 year ago
@mrhulot101 he's the closest thing I got to real representation in my whole state! and I do appreciate him getting strongly behind HSR. the fact that he thinks we should have a High speed rail line (like China does) may lend to less sinister motivations, maybe he just has a world is flat mentality, that's kind of what these things combined point to. whatever effect that might have you are free to say though, I think the world would be flat if people in the third world had a minimum wage and OSHA
buzzmail33 1 year ago
Sen Nelson has one of the WOST voting records on immigration in Washington. At every opportunity when he could have voted to help the American worker he voted instead to favor immigration forces that benefit from it and pass all the social,economic and environmemtal costs onto the communities. In my town we have repeatedly seen contractors bring in foreign workers on phony visa programs claiming no Americans wanted the work while we have massive unemplyment. maybe we need rail,but nelson goes!
mrhulot101 1 year ago
The interstate highway system was a benefit to all Americans. I believe only a small percentage of Americans will use high speed rail.
wdaines2 1 year ago
@wdaines2 Oil is running out. slowly but surely it's running out. Do you want America to be the only country to be caught with it's pants down? Even if a small percentage of Americans use HSR, that would likely be enough to cover operating costs until oil runs dry, and everyones on the damn train. Also, cities and culture will eventually form itself around this infrastructure and it will have increased ridership overtime regardless of oil availability.
buzzmail33 1 year ago
@buzzmail33 If the main beneficiary is going to be the theme parks, and possibly of more value to Tampa, then let Tampa and the theme parks underwrite any budget overruns and the continued operations of a line.
Lets face it, current rail is not making a profit, so lets make some changes to turn this around. Nelson should get behind banning trucks from entering the state, force them all to use Rail. Is he going to do that? No, because he is a sell out to the unions who support trucking!
Rayiw 1 year ago
@Rayiw looked it up, CSX made 430 million in profits last year. Although i wouldn't necessarily disagree with banning trucks to reduce traffic. Home Builders and land developers profit greatly and most directly off of new roads and highways, are they asked to underwrite the highway system? no they are not. why does every other type of transportation get subsidized, but rail, which will sooner or later begin to pay for itself, is not considered deserving of that same money?
buzzmail33 1 year ago
There is plenty of Oil for the next 100 yrs, and we also have natural gas. We should be getting this out the ground as quickly a possible and becoming a next exporter of oil to pay down the deficit. As soon as we start exporting oil, the cost of world oil will go down which will benefit everybody. We need nuclear power, then electric vehicles powered by hydrogen. Still there will be no benefit for long distance passenger trains, just for freight, get this off the roads!
Rayiw 1 year ago
I don't see that this provides enough value to the state, just to Disney and tourists but I don't think tourists are going to fly to Tampa just to ride the train.
You know that this will cost more than the grant from the government, which by the way is Tax payers Money. We should not pursue something that consumes tax payers money that will end up costing more to the taxpayer when the project goes over budget. If this is such a benefit, let private enterprises fund it.
Rayiw 1 year ago 2
@Rayiw tourists IN Orlando will be likely to go to ride the train to tampa, if the owners of Busch gardens and Adventureland (two themeparks in Tampa) arent brain dead they will entice people to come, and they;ll be able to get there in under an hour all without renting a car and buying gas as opposed to an hour 40 on a day w no traffic. Tourists will subsidize this line so that any Floridian who would like to ride the line can.
buzzmail33 1 year ago
@buzzmail33 I'm from the UK, if there were public transport in place and making money at all points along the route that would be one thing. As you point out, some tourists may use the line, but not enough to pay for the running costs. The majority of tourists rent cars, which support the local economy, as it allows them to get to the different theme parks, restaurants, all contributing to the economy. If the train is going to take this revenue away, it will hurt the local economy.
Rayiw 1 year ago
@Rayiw the projected ridership by multiple studies I read at ( florida high speed rail dot org ) say that there is a projected ridership that would cover costs if tickets were 15-30 dollars. I don't thinka a majority of tourists rent cars. Anyone who visits Disney can already take a free bus from the airport, and ride free busses monorails and boats to get around disney property. if they coud do all that, and then get on a train that has a stop near another tourist area in orlando.new business
buzzmail33 1 year ago
Tampa Voted No High Speed Rail.
This Shouldn't Be An Issue Anymore!
Period....
gyfeliciano 1 year ago
@gyfeliciano The 2004 amendment presented the Billion+ dollar commitment to the state for construct\on without addresing the benefits, and only won by a 5% margin, 48% of voters voted against it and FOR high speed rail. The current potential cost to the state is 280 million an amount that could be underwritten by a private company. if rick scott wasnt doing this just so Florida citizens couldnt benefit from obama's HSR push and wind up being more likely to vote for him.
buzzmail33 1 year ago
Tampando or Orlampa...the largest mega-metropolitan area in the state and one of the most sprawling urban centers in the country. HELLO?? Reliable, modern, efficient public transportation is key to Florida's future. The rednecks want to ride swampbuggies and hummers to work, but we have to be realistic. This is not your crappy Amtrak line (which nobody wants to ride), it is modern transportation between two enormous metropolitan areas which are gradually converging.
CHRISMM32 1 year ago 2
This has been flagged as spam show
We can make this work. We just need 70,000 users per day going from Tampa to Orlando at about $20 @ ticket. I'm sure Bill has that factored into his plan. Bill?
47Tim1 1 year ago
We can make this work. We just need 70,000 users per day going from Tampa to Orlando at about $20 @ ticket. I'm sure Bill has that factored into his plan. Bill?
47Tim1 1 year ago 2
People complained when we spent so much to build the US highway system too, as cars weren't so plentiful. What if we hadn't? The teaparty doesn't know how to invest in the future because they can't see it. Yesterday's highway system determined where most of the growth was. Tomorrow's high speed rail will too.
debh2012 1 year ago 2
Vote this lowly piece of shit out.
da324 1 year ago
@da324 can you imagine a world where we attack ideas and not fellow citizens?
debh2012 1 year ago
@debh2012 Neslon is an emploee of the people who has no idea what the Constitution he swore to uphold means. That makes him a liar. Now, maybe you would like to hold hands and sing Kumbaya with him, but it my book, a liar is a piece of shit...
da324 1 year ago
High speed rail does not make sense for a line from Tampa to Orlando. The best line would be from Miami to Orlando. Railroads were built by private industry. They made a profit until autos came along followed by airplanes. Let the entreprenuers make the decision on the next mode of transport for profit. Government shoudl be there only to direct regarding land use. I agree with Governor Scott. It was a difficult decision to decline that much federal money.
wdaines2 1 year ago
@wdaines2
that already is in the pipeline. the tampa - orlando line is expeted to join up with the miami orlando line that eventually will join the national rail system. be up to date with the facts before you make stupid statements like this.
Lawce003 1 year ago 4
Respond to this video...
the video is informational and educative
Lawce003 1 year ago
@wdaines2 says you. multiple studies done over 40 years say that a HSR line from Tampa - Orlando at 15-30 dollars a ticket will have enough people riding it to pay for the lowest cost to construct potential new rail line in the US because the Gov already owns the right of way.
buzzmail33 1 year ago
@lmarieyork
Got that right.
jmjfanss 1 year ago
Bill Nelson is too socialistic for me. He is too much in love with unions and Obama's administration. He has NO grasp on reality or he would not be pushing such a superfluous project like HSR which is just another glorified Amtrack that has always run in the red.
cnesporoaks 1 year ago
@cnesporoaks Here is the same rhetoric bullsh#t that wants to fight Reps. against Dems. NEWSFLASH they are the same. Ignorant people that follow right wing nuts always blame unions and social programs. Unions did not create the economic meltdown.Don't you collect SS? Do you recieve a pension from any co. after you retired? Show of ignorance=vote against your own best interest.
abbadabbadolittle 1 year ago 3
@abbadabbadolittle to say they are the same is to give up. I beleive in Democrats much more often than Republicans, but it's important to remember that we have alot of common interests more than constantly shouting at eachother and having whatever opinion is opposite of "those other guys" - we're all on the same team, the American team. I believe High speed rail is right for florida, and I believe High speed rail will carry America into the future. a future with rising oil prices- till it's gone
buzzmail33 1 year ago
@cnesporoaks
don't let party affiliation becloud your judgement. the same kind of resistance met the interstate highway system from guys like you. today, that highway system has become indispensable and one can now travel by road from tampa to california, to canada, to new york and anywhere else in between. this project will make travelling to these areas even cheaper, faster and more comfortable. this is foresight.
Lawce003 1 year ago
How easy you throw those large numbers around like its pocket change. Wake up and take a look around, the government can not sustain the debit. You will enslave our children's children and sooner or later they will revolt.
Stop the abuse and bring real jobs back to our country, what good will a high speed train do if there is no one left working to ride it?
jakethedragonone 1 year ago
Is the money the government giving a loan with interest or a grant?
abufatimah75 1 year ago
Why would a high speed rail from here to Orlando benefit anyone but Disney? I live in Clearwater and what we really need is a high speed rail from North to South that may actually help people who work every day. Lets look at the jobs issue Florida style -1 rich construction co. owner getting richer on tax-payer $ and a crap load of illegal aliens making minimum wage. Bullsh#t.
abbadabbadolittle 1 year ago 3
You are SOOOO right. Fix the infrastructure that's falling apart, the bridges that are crumbling, aging gas lines that explode unexpectedly, etc. States should keep 95% of their tax dollars instead of allowing govt to dole a percentage back to us and tell us what we should do with it., ENOUGH ALREADY! We're smart enough to run our own states--the govt sucks at it. Look at AMTRACK. We taxpayers spend millions yearly bailing it out of debt. Shelve this project till everything else is fixed.
cnesporoaks 1 year ago
@abbadabbadolittle your fucking stupid. You have no idea what is going on, shut your mouth until you learn a little bit more about economics and business
sourpatch64 1 year ago
@sourpatch64 Yea I know about your business cocks#cker.One rich fuckhead makes millions on the back of illegals using tax-payer $. How is that for economics...gov contracts to scum paid for by the average taxpayer.Sooo suck it.
abbadabbadolittle 1 year ago
@abbadabbadolittle way to let your ignorance shine. You are spouting generalizations, grow up and learn how the world really works. Theres not only 10 people that will get rich, then a bunch of illegals get raped. Thats not how it works. I know FOR A FACT, that my business will profit on cheaper transportation to the ports in tampa. Ur a fucking tool who doesnt look at the bigger picture
sourpatch64 1 year ago
I agree with you 100%, I was furious the last time they delayed it. We need public transportation desperately now without adding more roads and buses. It would be a wonderful 1st step towards solving some of our transportation issues making it one more thing to attract people and businesses to Florida. Good work Senator.
sunbird102 1 year ago
@sunbird102 A HSR going through three, count them three counties out of 67 in Florida doesn't help squat. How many people do you think go back and forth from Tampa To O town a day? 500 maybe, Now, how many do you think will use it? This will come back to the taxpayers, you can bank on that.
da324 1 year ago
Who cares if the money that Gov. Scott refused goes to another state? At least Floridians can look the rest of the US taxpayers in the eye and tell them: It was not us that wasted $2.4 billion of your hard-earned tax dollars!
BlueCollarPolitico 1 year ago
her's an idea, instead of HSR for Florida lets build Auto Bawn and raise the speed limit up to 100 MPH plus on strait highways like Germany. so people who wants to travel fast can have a freedem to drive that fast.
sideslide23 1 year ago
cont..It appears that everyone believes that we will always have oil. One day the well will run dry. The State of Florida will then not be ready for Mass Transit. People only use things when they are forced to. This will be a reality a lot sooner than what we would like to admit. We must prepare now for the future.
Radiantsunn 1 year ago
I also agree with Senator Nelson, we are long over due. The train would take alot of traffic off the highways, less traffic and fatal accidents. If the people would put forth an effort to ride the train and see what they have been missing. Plus all the jobs that this would create would help Florida get back up with the rest of the States. I'd like to see it run from Jacksonville to Miami. There would be more visitors and more money back in to the State.
florida331 1 year ago
Senator Nelson has always held Florida’s best interest at heart. He is a visionary leader that encourages growth and is trying to find ways to keep our current Space Program intact where thousands or more jobs will be lost. If we do not build infrastructure in Florida, we will end up in a state economy of IOU’s like California. One of the better known geologist’s told Washington that the oil supplies have been overstated in Saudi Arabia. Our gas prices will spiral out of control again.
Radiantsunn 1 year ago
@Radiantsunn
Too bad he is DINO and another member of the democratic leadership Council which means DLC.
jmjfanss 1 year ago
Bill Nelson needs to serve the taxpayers of Florida and stop working for the Federal Government.So far everything he has been involved in has allowed government to grow, restrict citizens and over regulate.I support a Florida with less Federal Government funded bribes and a Senator that doesn't work for Washington.
outterlimitDX 1 year ago
Yes it is way overdue for a better road system. I agree 100% with Sen. Nelson on this subject. Commonsense alone should tell you if travel on these roads that they are out dated and there is no room to expand. Rick Scott is the devil in Governor clothing. He is a thief ... a proven thief. Anything he does will do nothing but harm & push Florida further back. Florida DOES need high-speed rail.
mendi1957 1 year ago
Other High speed Rail Countries are now government founded with high tax rates upkeep and maintenance issues Just like today’s interstates foreign HSR’s are now poorly founded with a yearly tax hike just to maintain it poorly. People don’t fall for the hype and glory it not there for a long term Glory trust me !
We do not have the right demand for it NOW ! Per population capita.
TheGuyFromZhills 1 year ago
Sen. Nelson, I have to disagree with you ! A long term bill for a short term gain is not worth my tax dollarsIt 2.6Bil. For a 5 yr work force project, after the completion Floridians will pay for a long term high interest tax rate totaling (plus one of 3.9Bil. To 5Bil.) up to 15 yr pay off , IF just IF the economy gets back to 1/3rd avg. not to say it might just Might . Not willing to take this gamble !
TheGuyFromZhills 1 year ago
Bill Nelson has the vision to see that we need alternative forms of transportation in Florida. High-speed rail will not only create 24,000 desperately needed jobs but reduce noise and air pollution and reduce congestion. Comparing high-speed rail to Amtrak is just ignorant!! And, calling Bill Nelson fiscally irresponsible is just wrong. Bill Nelson is trying to bring federal funds to the state and also attempting to find private money to pay for this project.
carolynthepat2 1 year ago
@carolynthepat2 there are no Federal funds to bring to the State of Florida or any were else, (Its debt) money our Goverment does not have!!! Folks wake up, our Goverment is spending the USA into the POOR House!! If Private money could make a profit on HSR it would. We have so many other things that need fixing!!! Please use some common sence here.
29JohnL 1 year ago
@29JohnL we're already in the poor house, this is an opportunity to spend money on America, and on Americans. a physical investment that cant get up and walk away to china, with jobs that cant be outsourced to india. Yes we need to take steps to reign in our deficit, canceling this wise investment in our future doesnt have to be one of them. Our unbalanced trade with China has already paid for their inter city highspeed rail system, what about us?
buzzmail33 1 year ago
mmarabians um #1 you need to call your local mental health intervention service immediately,-- why to you have a link to the lunatic killer Loughner from Tuscon on your profile??? By all means let us know. And why this unvarnished support of Rick Scott and thief and criminal who stole millions from Medicare. NO SIR the money is still circulating its just not circulating to stimulate a damn thing that serves this State and its people. You damn well know the real criminal is SCOTT.
buckchar707 1 year ago
Listen carefully! This man is FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE!
THANK GOD, Rick Scott was elected Governor!
We must defeat this IDIOT!
mmarabians 1 year ago
@mmarabians Just stop talking please you idiot.
hippaul 1 year ago
Floridians love thier cars, nobody will ride that shit. I took Amtak from Tampa to Miami and we kept stopping all along the way to p/up or drop off 2-3 people at a time. It's a massive Black Hole when done.
rythemslave 1 year ago
Looks like the media has done it's job and brainwashed every commenter on here, when progress in civilization is destroyed by your invisible slave master (money) you are going down the toilet as we speak. You spend money to make money. Govm't uses your tax money to build freeways & roads, auto makers make a profit. As a result your tax money subsidizes the Oil industry monopoly on transportation energy. I say build HSR infrastructure and have a private company figure out how to run at profit.
DaaYay 1 year ago
All Hail King Scott, he can tell us what to do.
Wait, I'm a Californian. Nevermind.
DaaYay 1 year ago
It is way past time for this. Florida desperately needs a modern solution to its overcrowded roads. There must be investments made in our state's future. Most of the money is already there. 90% of it. How can we pass up this opportunity?
lorinai 1 year ago
We can not afford it . . . this is just another form of "Ear Marks" . . .another politician buying votes with hand outs . . . it has to stop . . . the only way I know to stop it is vote out those who but votes . . . vote Nelson out . . .
rickrize 1 year ago
@rickrize Every single politician elected today has bought votes my friend. Democrat or Republican, they've both bought their votes. Stop being ignorant.
hippaul 1 year ago
If this is such a great business proposition, why aren't businesses/investors jumping in? It looks like we are creating a Florida AmTrac (Flatrack)
47Tim1 1 year ago
Gov Scott made a wise decision and Sen Nelson needs to have better facts before putting forth his distorted view of High Speed Rail. The vast majority of high speed rails systems throughout the world lose money and need subsidies from their governments. Siemens and the other suppliers and builders will go home when the job is finished and it will be the Florida taxpayers who get stuck with the bill. Western Europe, China and Japan have a much higher density of population and need rail - we don't
HIGGINS2137 1 year ago 2
Where will this take place? Throughout the Atlantic margin? If it interferes with the Everglades or any wildlife/nature preserve, I don't support it. We cannot afford to put our ecosystem in jeopardy for some high speed machine. Nature gives us life, not a rail track.
Madonnigie2 1 year ago
We need this throughout the entire state. Especially with gas prices the way they are. Aside from that we have a large elderly popualtion that really shouldn't be driving, and many college aged students that could use the money they save by taking trains elsewhere as well.
xipetoltec 1 year ago
If they built it a Spanish co. would get the contract. I 595 Ft. Lauderdale road work a Spanish company got the contract , you know SPAIN not America.
egderegor 1 year ago
This is a solution in search of a problem. It's fine for China and Japan who don't have the road system we do. This is a state with great highways and "everyone" has a car, even tourists. I don't see the economic sense (for a 90 min drive). This group who oppose Scott's decision are builders and unions who are looking for a huge pot of money to steal from and their politico friends. Check out the "Big Dig" in MA.
dkonline 1 year ago 2
I can't stand BIll Nelson - he's another Blue Dog Democrat that votes along party lines - if I were to guess, he's near incompetent and can barely read. NASA brainwashed the shit out of him before letting him out into the real world. Bill Nelson is clueless. Absolutely no intelligence whatsoever. He couldn't read a complete paragraph without pausing to save his own life. He's worse than listening to Obama (the master of content-free communication). BILL NELSON SUPPORTED THE BAILOUTS!!!!
mx4life82 1 year ago
As other states run into the red, I feel we Floridians should step up to the plate and allow this high speed rail to continue forward. Many will welcome this public transportation. Growing up as a child in NYC, everyone rode the trains. It was an accepted 'way of life'. If we cannot find the alotted funds to pay for it, maybe it's possible we withdraw from the Union and create our own DEBT free currency, and solve our own problems. It's time folks realized Washington is not the answer .
juliasr4a 1 year ago
@juliasr4a - How can you compare Florida to New York City? Poor people are the only ones who will welcome it with open arms - right now they can't afford to go to Orlando- everyone else who works and doesn't receive government subsidy will be taxed and tolled to death to pay for it.
Why not put the money towards education and innovation of HHO - where cars run on water - so everyone could just drive there..that won't happen because some GOVT contractor needs to make millions off this project
mx4life82 1 year ago
Thank your Gov. Scott for killing this boondoggle in the making. There hasn't been a single study performed that shows HSR making money. It would operate in the red which would require tax dollars we don't have to make up for the shortfall. Newsflash Bill - WE'RE BROKE!!!!!
I hope that Jeb decides to run against Nelson. Shoot, I'd almost settle on Martinez giving it another go over Nelson.
raz0rsvids 1 year ago
I'm really surprised to see all the negativity towards the high speed rail project. I'd like to say how disappointed I am that Florida is pulling out. Yes, it is a HUGE sum of money but the old adage of 'It takes money to make money" is so true. To me, it's not just about jobs but it is about reviving our economy and creating a vibrant community. If you doubt that, visit Denver where they have added a great commuter train system that isn't even high speed. Florida needs to invest in itself.
gargoylesentry 1 year ago
Do you think all those billions come from the tooth fairy? Who in the world is going to go to a station (with a car) wait for the train, ride to Tampa and get another car when they could drive it in 90 minutes? You've lost your mind, Bill. And get your grimy fingers out of my pocket!
gkcfan 1 year ago
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egderegor 1 year ago
I would like to see the forensic economic analysis, but I do believe HSR is a needed infrastructure. You invest in some things for the future economic impact. HSR could be one. But HSR from Miami to Jacksonville would be even greater. It is analogous to the impact of the Flagler railway to Florida in the last century.
Tesla108 1 year ago
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egderegor 1 year ago
"If Florida doesn’t take the money, another state will." Some philosophy! You make me sick. That kind of thinking is why we are facing the debt crisis today. Thank God we have a Governor who is rejecting that tired way of thinking. I am ashamed of you, Senator Nelson. Looking forward to your defeat!
jpbrienen 1 year ago
@jpbrienen
"Looking forward to your defeat!"
As am I.
raz0rsvids 1 year ago
Our new governor is taking the state in the wrong direction and needs to be stopped! He apparently considers himself all-powerful with total disregard for the balance of power written into the Florida Constitution. It looks like it's going to be an uphill battle to keep him from completely destroying the state. Thank you for fighting for high-speed rail and for taking a stand on education and health care.
funchorus 1 year ago
Florida voters have spoken. No High Speed Rail! Where is the remaining 10% going to come from? The Tax Payers! If politicians want this they should pay for it..In these economic times the money should be going to better use. The economy is in a horrible state right now. I don't think this will help. Most of the bids for all these jobs will go to big companies that have money anyways. It's the little people/middle class americans that will not profit from this at all. I don't see the benefit.
gyfeliciano 1 year ago
@gyfeliciano Florida doesn't need highspeed rail. It is laughable that people keep using China as the shining example for it. If the people of Florida make only a couple dollars a day then yes, we would need high speed rail to do business. In Central Florida we get tolled to death to subsadize something that our tax dollars should already be paying for. I say no to highspeed rail and no to short sighted polaticians...
LGsguy 1 year ago 2
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gyfeliciano 1 year ago
Dear Bill Nelson: PLEASE SUE THE STATE OF FLORIDA! PLEASE!! SUE BABY SUE!
WinterHaven 1 year ago
@WinterHaven The Feds need to sue Florida! This is NOT about DRILL BABY DRILL! I'm saying to the Feds, SUE BABY SUE! Sue the crap out of Florida and for bypassing health care reform which was passed by Congress and happens to be legal under Article 1 Section 8 of the US Constitution. SUE BABY SUE! SUE BABY SUE! Yeah!
WinterHaven 1 year ago
The Feds would have to sue the State of Florida to override his decision. Then again Florida is on the verge of exempting itself from Federal law ("Obama care") so that's another law suit against Florida. Ahh don't worry-Florida has plenty of money for litigation. Bring it on! Health care reform happens to be legal under Article 1 section 8 of the United States Constitution.
WinterHaven 1 year ago
The speed rail would eventually expand and do away with the need for air travel. Did Scott ever think of that?
WinterHaven 1 year ago
The Golden Gate Bridge did not break investor in San Franciso. Jobs is the key to open our market up again.
mfatima49 1 year ago
Sen. Nelson you are right we need to fight Gov. Scotts decison.
We've been working to get high speed rail for 30 years.
I think its time for Florida to get High speed rail.
john018 1 year ago
Bill Nelson, that is a great idea. THANKS. Hope it can be done. It would be a great save from an obstructive attitude from Gov. Scott.
onlyrey 1 year ago
Gov. Rick Scott needs to pull out the money stuck up his ass from all the auto and insurance companies and let Florida have a better and more efficient transportation system. Florida really needs it!
CrazyTito 1 year ago
The Senator is correct. I visit Florida from Atlanta when I can. For it to move towards a high speed rail network would improve tourism vastly. Not only for Southeast tourism, but also for a future New York -> Florida high speed line. The governor's short-sightedness, when Florida was poised on the leading edge of southeastern high speed rail, is INCOMPREHENSIBLE. #ScottFail
jayinatlanta 1 year ago 2
First....this is not "high speed rail", if you want to know what high speed rail is, look at China for examples of a truly high speed rail. What is proposed is slightly better than Amtrack. Secondly, this initial "investment" is just a drop in the bucket compared to what the sustainable costs will be afterward. Frankly, I am tired of politicians buying their votes with MY money. Gov. Scott is correct to squash this potential money pit for the people of Florida.
FLCOFrivolous 1 year ago
I think that Gov. Rick Scott has made an impulsive decision regarding high speed rail. He is congratulating himself for "rejecting ObamaTrain" and "ObamaRail". He is taking his personal vendetta against Pres. Obama and ruining the futures of millions of Floridians. Please organize along with others (check Twitter) to help recall this extremely dishonest Governor. Kudos to Dem. Sen. Nelson & Republican John Mica for standing up to be the voice for the people.
vnylbean 1 year ago
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vnylbean 1 year ago
High speed rail WILL not bankrupt Florida or the US.
Ironically, while it is true that federal government spending is out of control and putting the whole of the US economy at grave risk, especially with the military industrial complex's unchecked monstrosity and so-called "defense" spending, infrastructure spending is one area that is critical if the US is to avoid becoming an also-ran, third world country. Florida's HSR plan is better than any other.
The tea partiers are just plain wrong.
FI575land 1 year ago
Please Senator Nelson bypass our confused governor and make the rail happen!!!!!! We can't let this pass us up!
Please!
myfeetcute 1 year ago
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weesner44 1 year ago
Actually most, if not all, public roads (esp. Interstates) do not pay for themselves and there are no expectations that a road will pay for itself, however many billions of taxpayers dollars are invested into those same roads.
Private companies have done research into it, and in Florida's case, were willing to help foot the State's bill and be responsible for overages for at least 20 years in order to take part in the 2 billion Federal investment.
weesner44 1 year ago
If high speed rail were a worth while idea for Florida, a private company would have done it already. They haven't because anyone that does any research into it, or looks at what other states/countries have done, knows that it will always lose money and be unsustainable. I bet that the people that are for this now will be the same people that are crying and whining when there taxes go up significantly in 5-10 years, when the federal money runs out, to continue paying for this travesty.
dilz669 1 year ago
Senator Nelson. You are so, so right. Governor Scott is a total idiot who just cannot comprehend the importance to Florida, and , the nation of High Speed Rail. Just as you stated, blocking HSR would be akin to having blocked the Interstate highway system back in the '50s. We cannot let this happen.!!
carlonne 1 year ago 2
shut up. this rail will bring jobs & money to the state. bill nelson is the best!
kevkev44 1 year ago
High speed rail from Tampa to Orlando is a joke. It would never get used enough to pay for itself and would simply further bankrupt our state and the nation.
Deadheadbill 1 year ago
Thank you Sen. Bill Nelson for helping to bring jobs to Florida while the gevernor is sending jobs to other states!!!!!!
myop1357 1 year ago
Senator Nelson, you are a nice man, but this is just one more reason you will be voted out in the next election. Stop trying to force Florida to take gov't. blood money. This may produce jobs now, but it will bankrupt the state once it is completed. Unintended consequences. Stop it right now.
GLSFL 1 year ago
Hi speed rail in Florida or in anywhere but Northeast Corridor is a waste of tax payer money which we do not have. It may create jobs while building, but will never come close to paying for itself when it begins operations. Then the states would be forced to subsidize. Even the Corridor does not pay for itself.
wwmacd 1 year ago