Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin and Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee are promising to work together on plans for high-speed rail in New England.
Shumlin visited Rhode Island yesterday to rally support for efforts to legalize gay marriage in the state. But he and Chafee, an independent, met briefly to discuss each state’s interest in expanding high-speed rail.
Vermont, Rhode Island and several other states are seeking a portion of $2.4 billion in rail funding that Florida’s governor rejected in February. Shumlin and Chafee tell the Associated Press that it’s critical for leaders in New England to coordinate with Quebec and present a united front when seeking federal support for regional rail projects.
There’s no word on when the federal government will announce the winners of the funds.