Panel Signals Amtrak Will Get Funds Wed May 8, 4:21 PM ET
By LAURENCE ARNOLD, Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) - A House subcommittee answered Amtrak's pleas for a major boost in funding, sending a strong signal that the cash-starved railroad will get the money it says it needs to avoid cutting routes. The proposal adopted on Wednesday by the House Transportation subcommittee on railroads would guarantee Amtrak's existence for another year, giving lawmakers and the Bush administration more time to debate a long-term policy for passenger rail. If approved by Congress and signed by President Bush (news - web sites), the bill would give Amtrak the $1.2 billion it requested for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. The bill would also provide $775 million for security and safety upgrades. The bill enjoys bipartisan support from transportation leaders in the Republican-controlled House, which is generally more skeptical of Amtrak than the Democrat-controlled Senate. Amtrak has warned it will have to make cuts starting with its 18 long-distance routes if it receives less than $1.2 billion. "This bill represents the beginning of a new era of passenger rail in this country, because it recognizes the simple fact that it takes real money to provide real service," said Tennessee Rep. Bob Clement (news, bio, voting record), the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee. Rep. Earl Blumenauer (news, bio, voting record), D-Ore., said he normally opposes "short-term fixes" but considered the bill an important boost for Amtrak. One leading Amtrak critic Rep. John Mica (news, bio, voting record), R-Fla. voted against the bill. "At best this is a Band-Aid," said Mica, who favors breaking up Amtrak and letting private companies take over any profitable routes. "It only will stave off the inevitable." The bill imposes new requirements on Amtrak to submit periodic assessments, business plans and a capital spending plan to the government, said Rep. Jack Quinn (news, bio, voting record), R-N.Y., the subcommittee chairman.
"We simply want to know that the money is being spent wisely," Quinn said, adding that the full committee will consider the bill in about two weeks. Before the hearing, Quinn and Clement participated in a pro-Amtrak rally near the Capitol that drew about 100 people. The subcommittee also approved a separate bill that would provide up to $59 billion for development of new high-speed rail corridors around the country. The bill puts states rather than Amtrak in charge of the money to leave open the possibility that other companies might run the high-speed service. Amtrak has relied upon government subsidies for its entire 31-year existence and will not meet an order by Congress to end that reliance by the end of this year. Many Amtrak backers are putting their hopes behind a bill by Sen. Ernest Hollings (news, bio, voting record), D-S.C., that would keep Amtrak operating for five more years and spend $4.6 billion a year on improving and expanding rail service. The Senate Commerce Committee approved the bill April 18.
Posts: 140 | From: Albany, NY | Registered: Mar 2001
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Most conressional objection on the issue stems not from the idea of funding Amtrak per se, but from the way Amtrak would spend any money it's given. Gunn is widely known for good leadership, and most importantly, for getting unexpectedly high results with relatively small amounts of money. No doubt, this will sway a lot of votes.
It'll still be a battle, but at least the "wasteful bureaucracy" rhetoric used by so many detractors can be rendered moot.
But don't pull out the champagne yet. Typical of our beloved congress, members of the House may well use the approval of this bailout as an excuse to kill any real investment, such as Hollings' bill. So might Bush. In that case, Amtrak remains impotent, and likely dies in 2003.
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One step towards progress. Many more steps lay ahead. It is unrealistic to expect anything more than this right now. Congress and Bush have no idea what to do long-term so they are buying themselves some time (because 31 years wasn't enough).
I hope Santa brings John Mica a lump of coal, and gives all his candy to Chairman Jack Quinn, who provided the needed leasership to get this through.
------------------ Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth. -Mr. Toy
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I agree w/ Mr Toy. Maybe Santa can bring Mica a lump of coal...then he can runa steam engine. Amazingly, a few weeks ago he sponsored an effort to spend several million $$$ for a demonstration project to run commuter trains between DeLand and Orlando! What a pork barrell project for me to subsidize...yet it is wrong to fund my long distance trains.
Posts: 52 | Registered: Apr 2002
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Possibly Rep. Mica (R-FL-7th), whose District includes Sanford, is looking for a "bargaining chip" to have some of the AT rebuild work done there. While Rep. Julia Carson (D-IN-10th) likely disagrees, Sanford does "nice neat work" (so does Beech Grove).
Indicative of such are the Auto Train Lounges that were rebuilt at Sanford from S-I diners (unfortunately 2 of five were lost at Crescent City). With those cars in consist, Sightseers are not really missed.
[This message has been edited by Gilbert B Norman (edited 05-10-2002).]
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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--------------------------------------------- Originally posted by StonewallJones: So they MAY get funds. They still have to use them properly. Can they do that? --------------------------------------------- It looks as though they'd HAVE to do that. In order to get the money, some in Congress are demanding, some suggesting, that Amtrak has to give a monthly assessment of their spending/income, etc. Spend wisely Amtrak...
Posts: 553 | From: Flagstaff, AZ USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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It looks like RIDE 21 (Railroad Infrastructure Development and Expansion Act for the 21st Century (H.R. 2950), and the Amtrak Reauthorization Act of 2002) has/have been postponed in the House "until further notice." That COULD mean Sept 30th, but hopefully something will happen soon...
Posts: 553 | From: Flagstaff, AZ USA | Registered: Apr 2001
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