On Monday, LaHood announced high-speed rail grants to 15 states, awarding $2.02 billion of the $2.4 billion offered to and rejected by Florida to 22 projects in those states, most of which are located in the Northeast and Midwest. California also received funds.



LaHood, a former Republican congressman, took pains to note that one of the states awarded federal money Monday was led by a Republican governor.



"Michigan has a Republican governor," he said. "Gov. (Rick) Snyder and I are going to stand up and say the state of Michigan under a Republican governor will accept money for the line between Detroit and Chicago."

