Sen. Mike Haridopolos Says Thanks But No Thanks to High-Speed Rail Extension

The offer of Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to give Florida an extra week to approve a plan to fund a high-speed rail line that would run from Tampa to Orlando has been rejected by state Senate President Mike Haridopolos.

Here's his statement:

Adding another week to the deadline for Florida to take $2.4 billion to build high-speed rail wont change my mind. No means no. Why is Washington working so hard to spend money it doesnt have? Instead of letting that money burn a hole in his pocket, Secretary LaHood should send it back to the federal treasury. As our state and country continue to recover from a serious economic downturn, those who were elected to represent its citizens should make a serious commitment to reduce spending and have the ability to decide between our wants and our needs.

Again, I say no thank you to the federal governments offer," Haridopolos said.