Center for Public Integrity: Main Street Chases Transportation Money
http://www.publicintegrity.org/investigations/transportation_lobby/articles/entry/1911/
...Those numbers track with another sobering trend line. The Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington think tank, notes that the last few transportation bills “have been marked by the rapid proliferation of federal transportation programs and by an increasing reliance on congressional earmarks,” adding that “both are symptoms of lack of focus and accountability.”  A harsh judgment, to be sure. But until the local lobby sees a new vision from Washington, the scramble for cash remains the only way to play, insiders say.

Tampa Bay Online: Advocates hope Obama-Biden visit is to award rail funds
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2010/jan/22/advocates-hope-obamabiden-visit-award-high-speed-r/
While the White House remained mum on details of the Florida itinerary of President Obama's and Vice President Biden's visit to Tampa or St. Petersburg on Thursday, high speed rail advocates remain optimistic that the reason is to announce federal funding for a Tampa-Orlando route.  "It is likely our efforts to create thousands of new jobs for Floridians have paid off," U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, said.