Will Republican Revolt on High-Speed Rail Projects Derail Obama's Plan?

[sabra]

Source: ABC News

$8 Billion Stimulus Project Mired in Political Challenges

Many Americans soon could see European-style high-speed trains in their backyards, but a wave of Republican gubernatorial victories means the project -- once touted by Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood as a "game changer" -- faces many obstacles ahead.

Last week, the Department of Transportation yanked away nearly $1.2 billion in funds from Wisconsin and Ohio after incoming governors in both states said they would not continue the project, and distributed it to 13 other states where high-speed rail projects are moving forward as planned.

All eyes now are on Florida, where Gov.-elect Rick Scott threatened during his campaign to oppose any rail plan that would require subsidies after federal dollars ran out.

But since winning office, the governor-to-be has been relatively mute on the subject and a DOT spokesperson said the agency is working actively with the state to move the project along.

Florida also received $342.3 million of the money that was redirected from Wisconsin and Ohio.

Scott's office said the incoming governor hasn't yet made a decision on how he will proceed.

"The governor-elect is not going to make any decision until he's had a chance to thoroughly review an updated feasibility study on the project due in February, and until he's had time to gauge the willingness of the private sector to fund ongoing operations and maintenance," spokeswoman Amy Graham said in a statement.

Read more: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/republican-revolt-high-speed-rail-projects-derail-obamas/story?id=12369201

[frazzled]

1. For the life of me, I can't understand why anyone would be "against" this

Except to deprive a Democratic administration of the accolades it might earn in this regard. Or because the airline industry opposes it (do they?).

So much the better, though, for those states who will benefit from Republican intransigence.

[midnight]

2. It is absolutely crazy to be against this.

[movonne]

16. The repugs are bring this country down...they can hardly wait for

this to become a third world country and only the wealthy will be able to afford to eat, have a home and job...this is their plan and has been for a long time...so if we don't really fight hard we all lose..except the rich...

[MatthewStLouis]

3. Why do we need high speed rail when you can just fly your lear-jet?

If only people realized what a major public transportation/infrastructure overhaul could do for our economy. In my opinion, this $8 billion stimulus is a joke compared to what we really need.

[InvisibleTouch]

4. Our idiot new governor in Ohio...

...made the killing of the rail plan his very first priority. Unbelievable.

I didn't like everything Strickland did either, but this is beyond absurd. Let's see: jobs for people, transportation savings and convenience, less damage to the environment, and the downside is--? Less ill-gotten gains for Big Oil, I suppose, if people drive their cars less. I don't know why this stuff isn't being screamed from the rooftops and on TV to discredit these creeps.

[DallasNE]

9. Ohio Is In "Good" Company

Not only have Ohio and Wisconsin said they don't want new jobs but New Jersey cancelled out of an ongoing project to give New Jersey greater access to New York City. The light rail company in Wisconsin has even announced they are going to move their operations to a different State, creating double harm to their economy. This new breed of Republican Governor doesn't know how to govern. And "Bobbie" Jindal isn't much better down in LA.

[fatbuckel]

10. That Doughebag wanted to use the money for something else, but he was`nt allowed to.

[peace13]

5. The rest of the country needs to move forward.

As an Ohio native I want to say that the average Ohio voter is an uniformed person who lets the preacher tell them where to mark the ballot. We have taken a step back to the seventies here with a new Governor who is calling all of the old guard back to 'run' the state. The good ol' boys are lining their pockets already and the citizens of this state are left with nothing. Laws that were made to protect the states natural resources are already being eyed as not necessary. We will rot here until ....well until I don't know when.

[Greybnk48]

6. Scott Walker, (Moran-WI) is dumber than T. Thompson!!

'Nuff said. The ad that was run here against HSRail featured our new Lt. Gov., former newsreader and Palin wannabe Kleefisch, who said she didn't need it because "she's a mom, and she drives a minivan." She may be dumber than Walker!!! And then there's our new Senator, Sunspot Johnson. Jesus H. Christ!:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :grr: :grr: :grr:

[sulphurdunn]

7. The Republicans will come around

once they're persuaded that they can steal the money and only go through the motions of building the project.

[brooklynite]

8. Actually, it will probably help...

The biggest failing of the HSR funding strategy was that, for political reasons, "everyone" had to get a share: Florida, Texas, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin,California, NEC, etc. As a consequence, no system was likely to have enough money to actually implement something useful. Now that the Republicans Governors have opted out, it means the funds can be concentrated in areas where something productive might happen.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

19. Agreed.

[indimuse]

11. This country is so far behind ~~~

we need the High-Speed Rail Projects and the JOBS it will create!

[Tempest]

12. California thanks Ohio and Wisconsin's short-sightedness

Thanks to Ohio and Wisconsin, my city is now on the initial phase of California's high speed rail project which is estimated to increase employment by thousands.

[gratuitous]

13. Oh, well, if the Republicans don't like it

It's gone! Blip out the entire project until the Republicans don't get their feefees hurt.

Now that's some negotiatin', that is!

[Marnie]

14. Safe to say if the people who wear Tea Bags

on their hats don't what it Obama will cave.
In other words it won't happen on his watch unless there is a big enough donation to his reelection fund for him to be willing to make the effort to stand up for it.

[The Backlash Cometh]

15. I think they're trying to derail him. Yes.

[martymar64]

17. Just another thing for the Great Capitulator to cave on

[MadMaddie]

18. Wait for it...These same governers will be screaming

mid-year 2011 "Where are the jobs"??

I wonder if their supporters in their states will get it?