Republican Study Committee: Cut ALL Amtrak and HSR $

[FayeforCure]

Yeah hopefully this picture will bring it home for the ignorant masses that are austerity minded on needed services but blind to the pervasive waste right in front of them:

I am pretty sure that graph does not include the operational budgets for Iraq and Afghanistan.  On a pathetically sad note, I still hear fools trying to sell the positives of those wars.

So true! The wars that are being waged on our national credit card, are kept off budget.

How is it that the stimulus funds were "mortgaging our children's future," but not one peep about "mortgaging our children's future" for the past 9 years waging enless wars?!?!?!

[FayeforCure]

So sad..........INVESTING in our children's future is now contentious, while we continue to invest in destruction ie wars!!!!

Home /Globe /Opinion /Op-ed Derrick Z. Jackson
 
Blocking high-speed rail
By Derrick Z. Jackson
Globe Columnist / January 29, 2011

WHEN PRESIDENT Obama proposed in his State of the Union address that 80 percent of Americans should have access to high-speed rail within 25 years, he drew laughter by saying, “For some trips, it will be faster than flying â€" without the pat-down.’’

It will be much faster if we end the political pat-down for high-speed rail itself.

One promising hallmark of the Obama administration was the $8 billion in stimulus funds and $2.5 billion in subsequent grants to jump start high-speed rail projects. Several key Republicans support high speed rail in principle, even if they disagree with Obama and the Democrats on funding mechanisms and focus.

In a hearing this week, Republican Representative John Mica of Florida, the new chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Republican Representative Bill Shuster of Pennsylvania, chairman of the subcommittee on railroads, pipelines, and hazardous materials, called for massive public-private partnerships way beyond federally subsidized Amtrak to bring true high-speed rail to the Boston-to-Washington Northeast Corridor. Shuster even used the “I-word’’ currently being flayed by many Republicans: “Failing to invest in the critical Northeast Corridor will ensure continued congestion.’’

But too many other Republicans want to derail everything. The new governors of Ohio and Wisconsin gave back $1.2 billion in stimulus funds for high-speed rail projects, campaigning against them as taxpayer waste.
( Rick Scott could well follow suit)

The Republican Study Committee, a caucus of 175 House Republican conservatives, wants to completely de-fund Amtrak and high-speed rail. Caucus chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio asked in 2009, “Why should we subsidize an industry that will directly compete with the automobile industry, which is so critical to our area?’’

Undeterred by such sentiments and the new Republican majority in the House, Massachusetts Senator John Kerry plans to file legislation in the next few weeks that would boost high-speed rail even more. His general plan calls for the development of a national high-speed railway system with spokes radiating up and down both coasts and across to the Midwest, Southeast, and Southwest. The legislation would provide for up to $20 billion in competitive grant funding for projects that deliver train speeds of at least 110 miles per hour and incentives and preferences for projects that can deliver speeds above that.

Kerry said he has started talking with the likes of Republican Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey, who recently rejected a new commuter rail tunnel into Manhattan, to see if concepts such as an infrastructure bank can help.

“It’s so obvious that if you can bring trips down in time, we would be wasting less time from families, move products faster, raise property values, and create jobs in a larger area,’’ Kerry said in a telephone interview this week. “It drives me crazy that we’re fighting just to hold on to Amtrak, that we’re arguing to hang on to the infrastructure of our parents and grandparents.’’

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2011/01/29/blocking_high_speed_rail/

Unfortunately, we clearly see a Party of Progress vs a Party of Regress

Please keep in mind next time you vote.

[Ocklawaha]

January 21, 2011

House Republicans have fired the opening shots in the budget battles for the upcoming year, and it appears that passenger trains are in the crosshairs.

Republicans are using their newly acquired control of the House to highlight their agenda for cutting government programs.  A proposal issued by the Republican Study Committee would cut fiscal 2011 spending back to 2008 levelsâ€"a move the proposal says would save $80 billion.

For Amtrak, this would mean an $88 million reduction in its operations budget (down to $475 million).  A further $166 million would be cut from the railroad’s capital budget (cut to $572 million).

[For a more detailed analysis, NARP members can read January’s NARP News lead article, “Current Year Funding in Doubt,” by going to the Members Only section of this Website and clicking on “NARP News in PDF Format”]

More disturbingly, the Republican Study Committee proposal identified Amtrak’s entire annual federal grant of $1.56 billion as a target for elimination, which would bring an end to all intercity passenger train service.  The proposal also suggested completely doing away with the high-speed rail program.  And it eliminates $2 billion in funding the New Starts transit program, which plays a crucial in developing light-rail and streetcar systems around the country.

Democrats had not responded to the proposal at the time of this publication.  But given their control of the Senate, and White House support of many of the programs that face eliminationâ€"Amtrak and high-speed rail includedâ€"the proposal looks to be in no danger of being enacted.


High Speed Rail Under Scrutiny On Multiple Fronts

The new head of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Rail announced yesterday that he intends to hold hearings on the high-speed rail program to extract information from the Federal Railroad Administration on the criteria they used in selecting projects.

The new subcommittee chair, Representative Bill Shuster (R-PA), has accused the FRA of being unresponsive to requests for information on how the applications for grant money were evaluated, and promised “aggressive” oversight of the program.

“They won’t share with us the scores on how they went about doing it, and that leads me to believe they didn’t really use the criteria they should have,” Shuster told reporters. “We intend to find out how they did it.”

The hearing date has yet to be announced.

!So we don't all run off the cliff, here is a list of the greatest CHAMPIONS OF RAIL IN AMERICA since 1978!

1978    California State Sen. James R. Mills, President Pro Tempore    Devotion to California rail issues

Los Angeles County Supervisor Baxter Ward    Work on southern California rail issues

1980    Sen. Birch Bayh (Ind.)    Work to preserve Indiana passenger trains

Arizona Gov. Bruce Babbitt    Work on Phoenix commuter service

City of Los Angeles    Work on intermodal aspects of Los Angeles Union Passenger Terminal

Sen. Bob Packwood (R-Ore.), chairman of Senate Commerce Committee    Work on rail issues

1982    Amtrak    
Rep. James Florio (D-N.J.), chairman of House Commerce Transportation Subcommittee    Work on Amtrak issues

California Gov. Edmund G. Brown, Jr.    Support of new Spirit of California

Rep. Robert T. Matsui (D-Cal.)    Support of California rail projects

City of Anaheim, Cal.    New Anaheim Stadium Multimodal Transportation Center

1985    City of Santa Ana, Cal.    New Regional Transportation Center

1986    Sen. Mark Andrews (R-N.Dak.), chairman of Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee    Leading Senate fight to save Amtrak

Rep. Silvio O. Conte (R-Mass.), ranking member House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee    Support of public transportation

1988    Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-N.J.), chairman of Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee    Commitment to passenger trains

Rep. William Lehman (D-Fla.), chairman of House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee    Work toward balanced transportation

California Assemblyman Jim Costa    Development of rail network in California

1989    Rep. Lawrence Coughlin (R-Pa.), ranking member House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee    Support of Amtrak

1990    Sen. Paul Simon (D-Ill.)    Work to save Chicago-St. Louis corridor

1992    Rep. Al Swift (D-Wash.)    Leadership on his bill for a gas-tax penny for Amtrak and a passenger rail trust fund

1993    Sen. George Mitchell (D-Me.)    Work toward Boston rail link and Maine service

1994    Gov. William Weld (R-Mass.)    Work toward Boston rail link

State Rep. John Businger (D)    Work toward Boston rail link

1996    Sen. William V. Roth, Jr. (R-Del.)    For work on dedicated funding for Amtrak and ISTEA flexibility for states

1997    Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Tex.)    For advocacy of intercity passenger rail service outside the Northeast

1998    Sen. John H. Chafee (R-R.I.)    For work on ISTEA flexibility for states and improved public transportation

Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-N.Y.)    For work on ISTEA I, Washington Union Station, and dedicated funding for Amtrak

Former Sen. Claiborne Pell (D-R.I.)    For support of passenger rail during 36 years in Senate, and for "Megalopolis Unbound" (1966) which laid foundation for Northeast Corridor

1999    Gov. Tommy G. Thompson (R-Wis.)    Encouraging bi-partisan support for nationwide intercity passenger rail

2000    Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio)    For hard work to secure for states the right to invest their federal transportation funds on intercity passenger rail projects

Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D.-N.J.)    For long, distinguished career of successfully and significantly increasing federal funding for passenger rail nationwide

2002    Sen. Ernest Hollings (D.-S.C.)    For advocating saving and upgrading our national intercity passenger rail network and for developing high speed rail corridors

Rep. Jack Quinn (R.-N.Y.)    For support of an authorization with adequate funding to continue Amtrak's nationwide network

2003    Sen. Patty Murray (D.-Wash.)    For work to prevent shutdown of Amtrak in 2002 and provide reasonable funding in 2003 and strong support for mass transit in general

Rep. C. W. Bill Young (R.-Fla.)    For work to prevent shutdown of Amtrak in 2002 and to provide adequate funding for Amtrak in 2003

2004    Sen. Tom Carper (D.-Del.)    For work to include rail titles in surface transportation legislation and in general to keep nationwide rail service

Rep. Sherwood Boehlert (R.-N.Y.)    For work over many years for high speed rail development and for our national rail passenger system

2005    Senator Arlen Specter (R.-Pa)    For, "his long service on the Senate Appropriations Committee. Thanks in part to (his) hard work, our national rail passenger system continues to operate and report growing ridership and had reasonable prospects for weathering the current crisis."

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D.-Ore.)    For his strong support of Amtrak in Congress, and for working "tirelessly throughout his career in support of light rail and pedestrian-friendly land use planning."

Rep. James L. Oberstar (D.-Minn.)    "Representative Oberstar has one of Capitol Hill’s most extensive records in support of a modern transportation system. He has worked tirelessly both in defending Amtrak and in promoting development of world-class high speed rail." (Presented at the NARP Board Meeting in Minneapolis in October)
2006

Senator Trent Lott (R-MS)    For his work to complete an Amtrak reauthorization and his defense of a National rail passenger network.

Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV)    For his tireless work in the Senate to properly fund Amtrak and particularly for his defense of Amtrak's Cardinal.

Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-OH)    For his work to raise Amtrak funding last year and continuing efforts to complete a reauthorization bill.

Rep. Corrine Brown (D-FL)    For her work to raise Amtrak funding last year and constant pressure to put out the facts about Amtrak.

2007
Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL)    For his leadership and committee roles in the House and later the Senate to secure funding for Amtrak, expand state-supported service through Illinois, and protect long-distance trains.

Rep. Denny Rehberg (R-MT)    For his steadfast support of both Montana’s Empire Builder and the entire national Amtrak network, and for his chairmanship of the Congressional Rail Caucus.

2008    Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR)    For being a strong supporter of passenger train development, both intercity and commuter, and for working to save a threatened freight rail line.

Rep. John Olver (D-MA)    For consistently being an articulate voice in favor of a balanced transportation system in which passenger trains play a growing role.
2009
Senator Harry Reid (D-NV)    For his long-time supporter of passenger trains in general and Amtrak in particular and efforts as Majority Leader to get the Amtrak and Rail Safety Bill through Congress at the end of the 110th session.

Rep. John Mica (R-FL)    Rep. Mica has made it “a personal mission to see that the United States has world class high-speed trains..." according to the text on the award plaque. As Republican Leader on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Commitee, Mica played a key role leading to the October, 2008, enactment of the Rail Safety/Amtrak reauthorization.

[FayeforCure]

Oooopsie, you left out President Obama and Vice President Biden who are strong champions of Amtrak and HSR!!

The great Republicans that had vision like Specter are a thing of the past!

Did you compile the list or is it from NARP?

BTW Mica only supported the Amtrak reauthorization ( that got him that "award"), when it was amended to include a way to work on privatizing the Acela. He always gives corporations generous government handouts......just like in that Orlando CSX commuter rail deal.

This was published in the St. Augustine Record:

Rail travel is good for Florida tourismPosted: January 21, 2011 - 12:00am

By NORMAN DEAN

Editor: Regarding the story in The Record on Tuesday, Jan. 18 concerning Gov. Rick Scott and U.S. Rep. John Mica, Scott has no trouble moving around Florida. He has his personal airplane. Mica, I guess, flies at public expense. Both of them should take a look at Europe which has a number of 200 mph trains which connect the major cities. We have 0. The one train in the eastern seaboard, Washington to Boston, which was going to be a fast train is slowed to about 65 mph due to bad track.

The federal government has allocated $2.3 billion for a fast rail from Orlando to Tampa. Now both Scott and Mica want to shoot it down. From what Mica has to say about good rail connection I doubt if he offers help at all for the East Coast passenger line. Fast, good rail, travel will be very good for the tourist industry and should be all the way to New York. Amtrak has to put up with blockage from the freight rail lines not having track suitable for a fast train.

Both Scott and Mica are forgetting that rail travel takes a lot of cars off the road and is the "green" thing to do as it cuts pollution and a lot of foreign oil for gas. It is time for Scott and Mica to wake up.

I have friends who live in Europe and use the trains and they tell me that they are comfortable as well as far faster than driving.

Norman Dean

St. Augustine

http://staugustine.com/opinions/2011-01-20/letter-rail-travel-good-florida-tourism

[Garden guy]

Republicans are historically behind the times on everything...they believe that progressive thought is anti american and with them in leadership we can all forget about anything modern and progressive and forward thinking coming out of this idiot group...it's thier rules that have brought us all to this world we live in and i can't get over how many people still want to support them...i tell you what....i guess we'll all think twice about electing a black man again...i hear it everyday from the mouths of republicans on how embarrassed they are to have a black man leading....2011 and i still have to listen to this crap...

[BridgeTroll]

I find it hard to believe you actually talk to republicans GG... None that I speak to say anything remotely like that.  In fact... Most I have talked to are fairly satisfied with Obama so far.  There are definately areas of disagreement.

2011 and i still have to listen to this crap...

You are part of the problem... IMHO...

[Ocklawaha]

The list was originally compiled by the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RAIL PASSENGERS (NARP), I went though and removed their own people from it and added the color for clarity.

Obama has not made the cut with Amtrak yet as he has funded HSR but has not made an actual $ move to change Amtraks position beyond that which was approved by the Lott (R) - Lautenberg (D) Amtrak bill.

OCKLAWAHA

[Ocklawaha]

Republicans are historically behind the times on everything...they believe that progressive thought is anti american and with them in leadership we can all forget about anything modern and progressive and forward thinking coming out of this idiot group...it's thier rules that have brought us all to this world we live in and i can't get over how many people still want to support them...i tell you what....i guess we'll all think twice about electing a black man again...i hear it everyday from the mouths of republicans on how embarrassed they are to have a black man leading....2011 and i still have to listen to this crap...

Really? Go back and count the Republicans that have made a difference for passenger rail. The list tells a different story, though I tend to agree somewhat with Faye that whenever there is trouble on the rail funding front, it is almost always from a Republican. I think the point we're making is that not ALL of them think alike, and they won't walk in lock step - which is a good thing for those of us on a different team.

Governor Scott on the other hand doesn't seem to be pro rail or anti rail rather he is "arail."

OCKLAWAHA

[FayeforCure]

Republicans are historically behind the times on everything...they believe that progressive thought is anti american and with them in leadership we can all forget about anything modern and progressive and forward thinking coming out of this idiot group...it's thier rules that have brought us all to this world we live in and i can't get over how many people still want to support them...i tell you what....i guess we'll all think twice about electing a black man again...i hear it everyday from the mouths of republicans on how embarrassed they are to have a black man leading....2011 and i still have to listen to this crap...

So true. I find it funny how paranoid Republican voters are of government when super wealthy Republican operatives control our government outright:

The Koch Brothers, billionaires who have generously funded conservative and libertarian causes for over a generation â€" including the Heritage Foundation, the Cato Institute, and tea party groups like Americans for Prosperity â€" put together an annual meeting, typically held in the California desert, with fellow corporate CEOs and conservative operatives, to plan the year ahead. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor and 2012 Republican Presidential candidate Herman Cain were reputed to attend the gathering at the sprawling Rancho Las Palmas resort.

I wonder if Rick Scott is getting his marching orders from this group as well!

[BridgeTroll]

   Speaking of paranoid...

[FayeforCure]

  Speaking of paranoid...

BT, you still don't know we have the best government money can buy?

If you still don't know that, you need a reality check.

Rick Scott has spent more than $50 million ($50.2 million) on his primary campaign for governor

$73 million bought him the governorship!!

That "government of the people, by the people, for the people" is just a distraction.

[BridgeTroll]

Sure thing Faye...

Rick Scott has spent more than $50 million ($50.2 million) on his primary campaign for governor

$73 million bought him the governorship!!

And if democrats would have bothered to cast their votes instead of whatever they decided to do on election day... he would have easily lost.

It is time you blame yourselves for Rick Scott... 

[JeffreyS]

I do believe we Democrats failed on election day but no matter what no one should have voted for Scott.  Let's have some morals.  I do appreciate that many Republicans crossed the line even though they still hold conservative views. 

On another note the fact that he is a criminal may not prevent him from governing effectively.

[uptowngirl]

Is Amtrak successful? I would find it hard to believe. I wanted to take the train to CA last year, it was going to take two weeks round trip and cost $200 more than an airline ticket. I can't imagine that being a self sustaining type of business. I can't imagine too many people choosing this option over car, bus, or air. I love trains, and take them all the time when I am up in the NW, and even along the coast of CA....but for long distance travel Amtrak is not viable as is.

[Ocklawaha]

Is Amtrak successful? I would find it hard to believe. I wanted to take the train to CA last year, it was going to take two weeks round trip and cost $200 more than an airline ticket. I can't imagine that being a self sustaining type of business. I can't imagine too many people choosing this option over car, bus, or air. I love trains, and take them all the time when I am up in the NW, and even along the coast of CA....but for long distance travel Amtrak is not viable as is.

The point that is constantly missed is that a single long distance train can serve several 100-500 mile corridors. The California Zephyr serves Chicago-Omaha, Chicago-Denver, Denver-Grand Junction, Denver-Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City-Reno, Reno-Sacramento-Bay Area. Due to mountain passages and deserts it is also possible to schedule most of these trains to hit those prime corridors in "prime time." Where Amtrak fails completely is too few routes, and too few trains on the routes it does have. With frequency the price per train is lower, just as a Wal-Mart can sell bread at a better price then 7-11.

OCKLAWAHA