Florida Governor Rick Scott says "Thanks, but no thanks" to Obama's high speed rail

Florida Governor Rick Scott has said no to Federal funds for Obama's high speed rail boondoggle.

FLgov.com: Feb 16th 2011; Tallahassee, Fla. – After thoughtful consideration, Governor Rick Scott informed U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood of the state’s decision to reject President Obama’s Tampa to Orlando high-speed rail project. [...]

• First – capital cost overruns from the project could put Florida taxpayers on the hook for an additional $3 billion.
• Second – ridership and revenue projections are historically overly-optimistic and would likely result in ongoing subsidies that state taxpayers would have to incur. (from $300 million – $575 million over 10 years) – Note: The state subsidizes Tri-Rail $34.6 million a year while passenger revenues covers only $10.4 million of the $64 million annual operating budget.
• Finally – if the project becomes too costly for taxpayers and is shut down, the state would have to return the $2.4 billion in federal funds to D.C.

Good for Governor Scott.  It is bad enough Obama is recking tanking the nation's finances, but with the high speed rail scheme, he is importing the fiscal irresponsibility.  Just like the stimulus spending, the high speed rail scheme forces states to spend money they simply do not have.  Hopefully, more governors will start rejecting the Fed's irresponsibility.

Via: Memeorandum

Via: FLGov.com

Florida says "thanks, but no thanks" to ObamaCare cash

Florida seems to be taking full advantage of Justice Vinson's recent ruling that ObamaCare is unconstitutional.  


Today Florida turned back $1 million in ObamaCare cash.

Politico: No thanks. That’s what the state of Florida is saying to the Obama administration, declining a $1 million grant to implement the health law.

The move follows this week’s federal court decision declaring the law unconstitutional.

In a letter sent Tuesday and obtained by POLITICO, Florida Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty informed the Department of Health & Human Services that the state no longer wanted a $1 million grant that they had applied for last year.

“The purpose of this letter is to inform you that after deliberate consideration, I hereby rescind acceptance of the above-referenced $1 million rate review grant, which occurred in a letter to you dated September 15, 2010,” McCarty wrote.

As the state tries to deal with Monday’s explosive court decision, its Democratic senator is arguing for some certainty sooner rather than later. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida is introducing a resolution asking the Supreme Court to quickly take up the health care reform lawsuits.

“Isn’t it in our interest, isn’t in the common sense interest, if we were to come here and join in a resolution to petition the Supreme Court to have an expedited review of this case,” Nelson said on the Senate floor Wednesday. [MORE]

I think more states should take these kinds of actions in light of the recent ruling. These sort of actions will create a certain amount of chaos that will force the Supreme Court to rule on ObamaCare sooner rather than later.

Via: Memeoranudm

Via: Politico

Video: Allen West to Obama: “Welcome to the jungle”

The Shark-Tank: At the Vets for West picnic today in Delray Beach, Florida, Congressional Candidate Allen West in true form called out the Democrat Party and its spineless minions that include none other than Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Allen has already sent Madam Speaker a message-Allen West to Pelosi- “Give Me that Damn Gavel!”) and ‘the Messiah’himself, President Barack H. Obama.  The Congressional Black Caucus and Congressman- impeached Federal Judge Alcee Hastings have announced that they will be campaigning against West on behalf of Congressman Ron Klein.  President Obama and Speaker Pelosi will be in Congressional District 22 next month stumping for the embattled Congressman Klein, who has been lagging in the most recent public opinion polls.

You know the Dems will pull out all the stops (including publishing his social security number) to make sure Allen West does not get to Congress.  Too bad for them Allen West won’t go quietly.  Allen West represents the new type of Republicans, Republicans who are grounded in principle and not at all afraid to get down and dirty with the Dems.

Come on Florida, send Allen West to Washington!

Via: Memeorandum

Via: The Shark Tank

Via: The Right Scoop