Gamblers Upset Over Governor Scott's Rejection Of Rail Funds

Governor Rick Scott has already drawn the ire of millions of Floridians with some of the decision she has made since becoming the governor. The latest decision, made on Wednesday, is irking gamblers all across the state.

Governor Scott announced his intentions to reject $2.4 billion in federal funding for a new high-speed rail in the state. The rail would have run from Orlando to Tampa, and many politicians thought that the rail would have been a huge benefit to the state.

Gamblers, in particular, were upset with the decision for selfish reasons. In Tampa resides one of the biggest casinos in the state. The Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa has always attracted bettors from Central Florida. Orlando residents claim they would have enjoyed the faster way to get to Tampa the rail would have provided.

"My friends and I go to Tampa about once a month and we stay overnight at the casino," said Chris Frank. "It would have been great for us to be able to get their faster and not have to worry about driving. I'm hoping the governor changes his mind on this issue."

Scott claims to have no plans to revisit the issue. The governor asserted that the rail would cost tax payers an additional $3 billion, and he believes that type of spending should not be done in the current economic climate.

It has been estimated that thousands of jobs would have been created if the state went in the direction of building the rail system. Several Conservative lawmakers have said that the rail system is definitely in the future, but that now is not the time. Scott was also concerned that if Florida took the money, and the rail system was not completed, the state would have been on the hook for the loan.

February 17, 2011
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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