Rails-to-trails Conservancy examines the Florida legislature’s decision to set aside $50 million for the creation of a 275-mile cross-state trail. The project, which would connect a number of existing rail-trails to form a continuous trail from St. Petersburg to Titusville, is subject to a possible veto from Governor Rick Scott because his proposed budget did not contain any such provision.

Click here for the RTC’s full analysis.

Update: On May 20, Governor Scott signed the largest Florida State budget on record, but not before vetoing nearly $368 million in spending, including $50 million for the Coast-to-Coast connector bike trail. Scott claimed that the project could be built incrementally over time with ongoing funding already approved for transit greenways and bike paths. Read more here: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/gubernatorial/florida-gov-rick-scott-signs-budget-vetoes-more-than-368-million-in/2121948.