After years of speculation and frustration, South Louisiana residents finally have something to be excited about — the state now has a potential financier who will pony up the $300 million needed to redevelop rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.The problem is, our governor thinks the project “would not be a good use of taxpayer money” (or at least that’s what his press secretary says). Jindal’s critics contend it “would not be a good move for a potential Republican presidential candidate who recklessly chastised efforts to reengineer America’s rail system.”The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act — the stimulus package signed by President Barack Obama — set aside $8 billion for improving domestic railroads. As part of the “Gulf Coast corridor” — a train network developing under the Federal Railroad Commission — the Baton Rouge to New Orleans connection has been seen as a prime candidate to receive money.But in Gov. Jindal’s infamous “Mr. Rogers” response to President Obama’s State of the Union address, the governor pegged the train money as pork.  “[The legislation] is larded with wasteful spending. It includes $300 million to buy new cars for the government, $8 billion for high-speed rail projects, such as a ‘magnetic levitation’ line from Las Vegas to Disneyland and $140 million for something called ‘volcano monitoring.'”For the sake of this column, forget for a second criticizing volcano (or hurricane, for that matter) monitoring is simply moronic.So when state transportation chief William Ankner “pre-applied” to the federal government for access to the same funds Jindal had scrutinized, MSNBC’s loudmouth pundit Keith Olbermann labeled Jindal the “worst person in the world” for his alleged hypocrisy.The state withdrew the funds application two days after the lashing. Jindal’s critics have cried foul over what they believe to be a purely political move: Fearing the possibility of a flip flop attack — which sunk John Kerry’s 2004 presidential bid — the governor pulled the plug. In addition, the governor — who has sold himself as a tax-slashing, family values Christian — no doubt hopes to avoid Sarah Palin’s folly in supporting the so-called “bridge to nowhere.”Jindal’s administration has insisted it’s the estimated $18 million deficit the system would cost the state after collecting fares that led them to axe the project. A Baton Rouge to New Orleans train service would do a lot for commuters. There’s the convenience factor, reduced traffic congestion and accidents and decreased pollution.Heck, having an improved evacuation strategy for New Orleans alone would be worth a sizable part of that loss.Not to mention the economic development and subsequent tax revenues that would result.Jindal is right that deficits can be reckless. But some services — like the police department — don’t need to break even because their benefit isn’t measured in dollars. And even if it were necessary to balance the budget of the project, municipalities and business organizations affected by the decision should have a chance at coming up with financing. So far, they haven’t been given that chance.Indeed there is the possibility developing the rail system will not make financial sense at all. Some skeptics believe the line won’t be used enough, pointing to shoddy mass transit in both cities. But the governor hasn’t done any convincing. We need assurance the administration’s rejection of the project is based on economics, not the political aspirations of our governor. Only by laying it all out on the table can the governor wipe his hands clean from the appearance of political infidelity — his press secretary can’t do it for him.Time is running out. If the state is going to take advantage of this incredible deal, it must act by Oct. 2. Otherwise the chance at a $300 million check — and the fabled rail line — will be far down the line.Mark Macmurdo is a 22-year-old history and economics senior from Baton Rouge. Follow him on Twitter @TDR_mmacmurdo.—-Contact Mark Macmurdo at [email protected]