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The seven justices of the Florida Supreme Court peppered attorneys for two state senators and the governor with questions this afternoon about the statutory authority to stop a high speed rail plan. Governor Rick Scott has said he will refuse 2 point 4 billion dollars to build the system between Tampa and Orlando, but as Mike Vasilinda tells us, the court is now considering whether he has the authority to say no.

From the moment court began, there were tough questions.

 “But isn’t that your point, that the legislature can turn it down or they keep it, but the Governor cant. Is that the only point you’re making,” said Justice Perry.

Governor Rick Scott’s refusal to accept federal money to build a high speed rail system got 40 minutes before the high court.  Scott’s lawyer was asked about the grant application that waits signing.

 “And does the Governor have the authority to tell them that they can not sign that agreement,” asked Justice Peggy Quince.

Afterwards, Scott’s staff seemed confident.

 “They made a good argument,” Brian Burgess, Scott’s Communications Director, told reporters outside the courthouse.

And the two senators who brought the suit were barely hopeful victory would be theirs.

 “If they rule for him then he’s effectively vetoed the laws that we passed and establishing that all system in design setting the blueprint for transportation in Florida,” said Sen. Joyner of Tampa.

 “He has a constitutional duty to faithfully implement the law. Faithfully means without question. To work hard to implement the law and instead, he has worked very, very hard not to implement this law,” Sen. Altman told reporters.

The suit is a last ditch effort to save the train and the federal money. Florida must find a way to take the money by Friday, or it will go to another state.