Without Mentioning Scott, Haridopolos Lauds High-Speed Rail Rejection

Senate President Mike Haridopolos broke his silence on Gov. Rick Scott's rejection of stimulus dollars for high-speed rail in Florida.

Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, said in a statement released Friday morning:

The federal government has earmarked $2.4 billion to finance part of the cost of construction of the proposed Florida high-speed rail project.But to do so, Washington would borrow 100 percent of that money, which would be financed in large part by foreign, nondemocratic governments.

There is no more important issue today for the long-term well-being of our nation than to reign in deficit spending. Washington's reckless spending addiction has set our nation on a critically dangerous path. For the good of the nation, it's time to change course.

From the beginning, I have made it clear that Florida will cut $3.62 billion in spending this year and balance its state budget without raising taxes. We will not finance our future. We have also said that under no circumstances would we use state dollars, needed to support priorities like education, to pay for high-speed rail. For Floridians, that would be unforgivable.

Florida is leading by example in keeping its fiscal house in order. We must demand the same from Washington.To President Obama and all members of Congress, I say we are far better off reducing the $1.5 trillion in proposed deficit spending by this $2.4 billion than we are to build a rail project that has a questionable, at-best, economic viability.