Governor Scott,
I own a dinner theatre in Kissimmee and frankly I am astonished that in your wisdom you have chosen not to accept 2.4 billion dollars in federal funding to build Sun Rail. I do not believe you have given this matter the consideration it so deserves. While I agree federal spending is out of control and needs to be reeled in I do not agree with sending these funds to California. Whether or not we take these dollars for Florida it will not reduce federal spending but simply re-direct it to another state. Mean while we loose out on all the jobs and the taxes Sun Rail would create.
I have read much about the subject and quite frankly you are getting a lot of bad press on this issue. Just today I read an article in the Orlando Sentinel predicting high speed rail will operate at a surplus adding funds to the state coffers. Even should that prediction not hold true my understanding is most mass transit operates at a deficit. The future taxes generated by property taxes of development spurred by high speed rail do not even seem to have entered your equation. My belief is you are playing to much to the Tea Party movement and not enough regarding what the Legislature passed and former Governor Charlie Christ signed into law and what Florida business operators want. To be quite frank with you I was amazed the Florida Supreme Court sided with you on this job killing position which you made prior to even having a Secretary of Transportation in your cabinet yet and not having legislative approval to repeal the law that was passed and signed into law.
Your own party in large part disagrees with you and your lack of support will cost you votes when re-election rolls around. I am nearly fifty and in all my years I have never seen so much bad press and dissent for a newly elected governor. Sun Rail will bring more jobs to Florida as commuting from South Florida and Central Florida becomes easier and faster. I would prefer not having property tax cuts if it means sacrificing Sun Rail. I am obviously VERY disappointed in your actions and your dictator like dismissal of funding for Sun Rail. I regret having voted for you as I am sure many business people in Florida do. We need innovation and new infrastructure to make Florida more attractive for new business development and to attract businesses not operating in Florida to develop a presence in our state.
In the short term you are costing thirteen thousand jobs for Florida a state with one of the highest unemployment rates in the country. Years from now residents of Florida will look back and see how short sighted your decision on Sun Rail is.
Respectfully,
John Kucik both personally and professionally
President
Capone’s Dinner & Show Inc.
4740 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Parkway
Kissimmee, Fl. 34746
407-397-2378 ext. 106
