Save Our Trains Michigan
Conductor
Lawmakers are right to cut Amtrak's aid
State budget crisis supports trimming $7.1 million subsidy
Port Huron is better off with than without the Blue Water Line, Amtrak's embattled rail service to Chicago. And in better economic times, the public subsidy the railroad receives from the state might even be justified. That, however, is not the case today.
Michigan's budget continues to be plagued by deficits. With cutbacks to a range of vital state services already in place, it only stands to reason that Amtrak's Port Huron-to-Chicago service should not be spared.
The House and Senate have both approved a $1 million reduction to Amtrak in their versions of the 2006 transportation budget. The proposed cut is reasonable. Amtrak still would receive $6.1 million in state aid.
Yet the railroad's officials are crying that the reduction is too severe. If the reduction stands, they warn, the Blue Water Line will cease to exist. That would be unfortunate, but certainly not the end of the world.
Port Huron News paper
State budget crisis supports trimming $7.1 million subsidy
Port Huron is better off with than without the Blue Water Line, Amtrak's embattled rail service to Chicago. And in better economic times, the public subsidy the railroad receives from the state might even be justified. That, however, is not the case today.
Michigan's budget continues to be plagued by deficits. With cutbacks to a range of vital state services already in place, it only stands to reason that Amtrak's Port Huron-to-Chicago service should not be spared.
The House and Senate have both approved a $1 million reduction to Amtrak in their versions of the 2006 transportation budget. The proposed cut is reasonable. Amtrak still would receive $6.1 million in state aid.
Yet the railroad's officials are crying that the reduction is too severe. If the reduction stands, they warn, the Blue Water Line will cease to exist. That would be unfortunate, but certainly not the end of the world.
Port Huron News paper
