Bill Posey: “All Aboard Florida was presented as a private passenger rail project that would run from Miami to Orlando, and vice…”

“All Aboard Florida was presented as a private passenger rail project that would run from Miami to Orlando, and vice versa, along Florida's east coast. The project was initially sold to the public as the first privately funded and operated passenger train. However, that story soon changed, as All Aboard Florida decided to pursue a $1.6 billion loan from the Department of Transportation. Apparently, because the loan requires a strict Environmental Impact Statement to be completed, All Aboard Florida decided to also apply for $1.75 billion in tax-exempt private activity bonds from the Department of Transportation. {time} 1030 The U.S. Department of Transportation has moved to green light this financing option, even though they have absolutely no statutory authority to do that, and the environmental impact study has yet to be completed. We don't even know if the project is safe or feasible yet. Furthermore, these trains will move through our small beach towns at speeds of up to 110 miles per hour, with virtually no--none, nada-- buffer separating it from our communities. All Aboard Florida envisions 32 trains running per day, on top of 20 freight trains. That is a lot of traffic. Given how close this track is to our adjacent roads and surrounding neighborhoods, obviously, there are serious safety concerns. Why should you ask taxpayers to be on the hook for this train?…”