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Fasano challenges Rubio on rail funding

Posted Feb 3, 2010 by William March

Updated Feb 3, 2010 at 05:36 PM

State Sen. Mike Fasano, a supporter of Gov. Charlie Crist, has challenged Marco Rubio over Rubio’s opposition to a planned Tampa-Orlando high-speed rail link, saying Rubio had no such objections to heavy federal spending on Miami-area transportation projects.

Rubio, a former state House speaker from Miami, has said he opposes the high-speed rail project. It’s part of a $13 billion project planned by the administration of President Barack Obama to start a nationwide high-speed rail system and create jobs. Obama last week announced that $1.25 billion of that will go for the Tampa-Orlando link.

In a letter, Fasano, chairman of the Senate Transportation and Economic Development Appropriations Committee, said Miami-Dade is receiving a planned total of $3.1 billion from 2005-2015.

“I do not recall you voicing your concerns about increased Federal Government funding for transportation assistance for Miami/ Dade,” he wrote.

“I would appreciate it if you would explain why the Tampa Bay/Orlando area should not receive federal dollars to help with rail while you remained silent when the Miami-Dade area was authorized to receive over twice as much in federal transportation funding while you were a member of the Florida House of Representatives and candidate.”

Fasano also noted that Rubio spoke in favor of government investment in rail projects while in the House in his book, “100 Innovative Ideas for Florida’s Future,” saying those projects would lead to $5.50 in economic benefit for every $1 spent.

MOP has asked the Rubio campaign for a response, and will update when it comes.
_________________
Update
Response from Rubio campaign spokesman Alex Burgos: “Marco Rubio looks forward to an extensive policy-oriented debate with Charlie Crist on Florida’s and America’s future.  While his team has had plenty to say about this campaign, we hope Governor Crist himself will step up and engage Marco on the issues.”