December 2, 2008
FY2009 AMTRAK APPROPRIATIONS CONTINUING RESOLUTION: Continuing Resolution resolutions, as the name implies, normally mean that spending continues at current FY2008 levels. The House and Senate adopted a continuing resolution to be resolved in March, 2009. The Appropriations committees recommended for Amtrak $1.55 billion, $225 million above FY 2008, and $750 million above the President’s request. In an era of record gas prices and congested highways, the committee rejected the Administration’s irresponsible cuts, funding Amtrak at a level that reflects the vital role it plays in our national transportation system. Operating assistance is increased to $550 million which will keep all Amtrak routes operational and ensure the availability of funds for the retroactive wage payments called for under Amtrak’s newly-ratified labor contracts. Capital investment in Amtrak is increased to $1 billion –-the highest single-year appropriation to address Amtrak’s aging capital plant and rail cars. For Capital Grants for Passenger Rail the bill also provides $100 million for capital assistance to States to help spawn state-supported passenger rails services and eliminate hindrances to improved or expanded passenger rail service, including Amtrak. For the Federal Transit Administration funding is set to $10.225 billion, $733 million above FY 2008, and $90 million above the President’s request. Transit provides an essential transportation alternative for commuters and families who are facing record gas prices. Formula and Bus Grants are set at $8.26 billion, $492 million above FY 2008. Also the bill funds the New Starts program at $1.8 billion. This funding level is $188 million more than the Administration’s request and roughly $240 million more than the level enacted for fiscal year 2008. The New Starts Program invests in new transit systems and service expansions throughout the country. (TCU Supports Meaningful Funding Levels for Amtrak)
H.R. 2095, H.R. 6003, S. 294 & S. 1889 —AMTRAK AND RAIL SAFETY AUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2009: After eleven years of failed attempts to kill Amtrak, rightwing Republicans and the Bush Administration failed once again to bankrupt the nation’s passenger train service. This summer the fuel price crisis helped Amtrak prove to the nation the need for improved rail passenger service in a year when ridership in the month of May was the biggest month in Amtrak's 37-year history, with total ridership up 12 percent over last year and ticket revenues were up 16 percent over last year. No Amtrak funding had been authorized since 1977, but finally this year in a Democratic controlled congress rail labor was able to pick up enough support under S. 294 to override the veto threats by the Bush Administration by overwhelming numbers in the Senate on a vote of 74-24. In the House with similar bipartisan support, H.R. 6003 Amtrak Reauthorization bill and H.R. 2095 the Rail Safety bill as merged, passed with a veto-proof margin of 311-104. Before adjournment all three bills were consolidated into one bill H.R. 2095. The bill contained rail safety improvements that resulted from the September 12, 2008 train accident in Los Angeles. The bill covers the issue of positive train control, limits railroad operating crews to a maximum 276 hours per month. It limits limbo time to 40 hours a month the first year after enactment and 30 hours a month thereafter but did not do enough to abate fatigue. TCU was disappointed the House provision related to certification of Carmen was not included in the bill. The bill will authorize over $13 billion for Amtrak over five years. It provides $5.3 billion in capital grants, $2.9 billion in operating grants and $1.9 billion for intercity passenger rail over five years. The bill also contains a Republican provision that calls for a high-speed rail study that would potentially privatize the New York/Washington corridor to reduce travel to two hours of less. Rail Labor opposed this provision but did not opposed the bill because of the significant funding provisions in the bill. This is a Request For Proposal (RFP) by Republican Ranking Members John Mica. It requires the Department of Transportation to within 60 days issue an RFP for all designated high-speed rail corridors. Other critics say the proposal would undermine Amtrak by peeling off its most valuable asset, the Northeast Corridor. (TCU Watch)
