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Voters Give Bullet Train Green Light, But Nobody Knows Where the Other Green Is

ORLANDO-The Nov. 7 ballot issue jolted the establishment, winning by a 53% to 47% margin. Now all legislators have to do is find the money to pay for the estimated $4 billion, 200-mile high-speed rail system.

By Alex Finkelstein | Updated on November 10, 2000

ORLANDO-Still stunned by alleged Nov. 7 voting booth irregularities throughout the state, Florida legislators face an even thornier hurdle in four months when they convene in Tallahassee. The dilemma: Where to find an estimated $4 billion to build a 200-mile high-speed rail system linking the state’s largest urban centers.

Voters approved the project by a 53% to 47% margin after Lakeland, FL millionaire C.C. Dockery used $1.5 million of his own money to get the issue on the ballot. Gov. Jeb Bush rejected the plan last year because it was too expensive. Interestingly, exit polls show 60% of voters under 35 and 70% of Hispanic voters want the bullet train.

Pro-train supporters say the new transportation mode will reduce road congestion, boost tourism, attract the 2012 Summer Olympics to Orlando and open up thousands of undeveloped acres to new commercial development. Anti-train activists fear the money to build the train will be transferred from already-approved funds for major highway construction.

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