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.
Not quite there yet. I do think that things are looking better than they have for some time though.
Reggie
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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.
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.
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Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy
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).]
Can they do that?
quote:
Originally posted by StonewallJones:
so they MAY get funds. They still have to use them properly.Can they do that?
Under Warrington, probably not. Under the Gunn there is real hope.
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Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy