DeSantis on Brightline from Orlando to Tampa: Taxpayers won’t be ‘on the hook’ to pay for it

ORLANDO, Fla. — Editor’s note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

Florida will not commit state funds for the construction of Brightline’s expansion to Tampa under Gov. Ron DeSantis’ watch.

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DeSantis said space on the Interstate 4 corridor will be preserved for train service between Orlando and Tampa; however, the state will not assist the project financially. A $50 million appropriations request for the project didn’t make it into the state Legislature’s budget submitted for DeSantis’ approval.

READ: Downtown Orlando slated for more than $1.45 billion in development

The governor made the comments about Brightline during an April 3 ceremony at Florida Polytechnic University, where he signed an anti-transit bill and trumpeted the advancement of billions of dollars for nearby highway projects.

Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal’s website.

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