O'Malley Asks For Rail Money Rejected By Florida
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Gov. Martin O'Malley says if Florida doesn't want $2.4 billion in federal rail funding, Maryland could use it.
O'Malley wrote a letter to U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Friday to let him know Maryland could use any money rejected by other states.
The Maryland governor's letter comes after Florida Gov. Rick Scott this week rejected $2.4 billion in dedicated federal money, or about 90 percent of the cost for a high-speed rail line from Orlando to Tampa, in part because he doubted the train service would pay for itself once completed.
O'Malley wrote LaHood that transportation infrastructure projects, including passenger rail, offer a path to economic recovery and a stronger, more competitive future.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
