TC Palm - If Murphy Opposes All Aboard Florida, He's Not Clearly Saying So

Op-Ed

By Carl Domino

In July, Congressman Patrick Murphy scrambled to respond to our repeated observations that while he had stated back in April that 100 percent of what he heard from constituents was opposition to All Aboard Florida, he had not opposed the project.

Last year Murphy asked the U.S. Department of Transportation to expedite the project and to date, he still has not rescinded his letter of support. I attended the All Aboard Florida meeting in Jupiter where Patrick Murphy gave a short presentation and then left before answering any questions.

Nowhere in his comments did he state that he was opposed to AAF.

He started out saying that we needed jobs and to get cars off the road -- and those were good things -- and then stated that his eyes were "being opened" to the adverse effects of the project. Murphy finally this summer has said he opposes the project, but we have yet to see him send a strong letter opposing All Aboard Florida to the DOT or to the Congressional subcommittee which oversees the Federal Railway Administration, which is considering the $1.5 billion taxpayer-backed loan.

If 100 percent of what I heard from my constituents was strong opposition, I'd be on the record loud and clear with my opposition and ensure that everyone in Washington with any responsibilities for oversight or decision-making knew that my district strongly opposed the project. It was only recently (Aug. 14) that Murphy did the fiscally responsible thing and finally asked for a review of the financial viability of the project from the Government Accountability Office before using taxpayer money to fund it. And even this was after another Florida congressman first requested a GAO review.

Not All Aboard Florida says they will have a debate on the subject to which I look forward.

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