What Does Rich Nugent Want to Do With Florida's Share of High-Speed Rail Funds?

What does Republican U.S. Rep. Rich Nugent, a member of the Tea Party Caucus, want to do with the $2.4 billion in federal funds rejected by Gov. Rick Scott for high-speed rail -- pay down the national debt or use them for other transportation projects in Florida?

Nugent said last week that he backed the governors decision and hoped the monies would be used to pay down the national debt.

Like all states, Florida is desperately short on money because the federal government takes such an enormous share of Americans paychecks that there is little left for the states basic responsibilities. The result is that Florida and others are becoming more and more dependent on Uncle Sams apparent generosity.That needs to change, said Nugent. The fact of the matter is that the federal government is spending money it doesnt have. The presidents goal of spending $53 billion on a national high-speed rail network is the epitome of it would be nice to have spending. Were running a $1.7 trillion deficit. When we cant afford our basic obligations, we certainly dont have tens of billions in extra money for nice to have projects.

Viewed in this context, Governor Rick Scotts decision to decline $2.4 billion in federal money for high-speed rail is clearly a necessary and responsible choice, added Nugent. I just hope that the money is used to pay down part of our $14 trillion national debt.

Apparently, Nugent decided there was another priority for those funds. A week after making that statement, he was singing a different tune.

I have informed Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood that the $2.4 billion in high-speed rail funds should be provided to the state of Florida, for the state to utilize for infrastructure at its discretion, rather than for high-speed rail, which Governor Scott and other officials have said will not be the best use of our money, noted Nugent on Thursday.

Nugent added that the money can still be used to pay down the debt--he would just rather them be spent in Florida first.

I have also told Mr. LaHood if Florida is not given the flexibility to use its own funds as it sees fit, the money should be used to pay down the national debt that has, in part, been borrowed in Florida taxpayers' names over the years, continued Nugent.

Sunshine State News reached out to the congressmans office in Washington on Thursday but it was closed for office training according to a message.