The plan for a high-speed rail line between Tampa and Orlando â under fire by both Republicans and Democrats since the Nov. 2 elections â has gotten vocal support from a member of incoming Gov.-elect Rick Scottâs transition team.
State Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland, voiced support for the project, according to the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Dockery is a rare voice in a climate that has turned on one of President Barack Obamaâs signature issues â a transportation revolution via high-speed rail.
âAnyone who is trying to kill it is hurting all of Florida,â Dockery told the Herald-Tribune.
Dockeryâs words come as the high-speed rail line has come under fire by both Republicans and Democrats. There is a $300 million shortfall to complete the line from Tampa and Orlando, and Scott has said taxpayers should not have to foot the bill.
Last week, Democratic state Sen. Jeremy Ring, a member of the Florida rail commission, also told The Florida Independent he could not support the project unless private companies bidding to construct the line invest their own money to close the funding gap.
Ring joined not only Scott but voices from the now-Republican-controlled U.S. House who are questioning the Tampa-Orlando line, which would be the nationâs first high-speed rail project. Just days after election day, the incoming chair of the House Transportation Committee, Rep. John Mica, R-Winter Park, questioned the viability of the project.
