Save Our Trains Michigan
Conductor
Amtrak, the nation's passenger rail service, is facing a double-edged
sword. First, President Bush and many Republicans in Congress are
trying to slash federal funding to the point that Amtrak might stop
operating this fall or winter.
Closer to home, Michigan legislators have cut $1 million from the
state's $7.1 million Amtrak fund, which could halt the Blue Water
passenger train that serves the Lansing area and a sister train that
serves Grand Rapids and Holland.
Happily, efforts are being made in Congress to restore and boost
funding to help Amtrak survive, and hopefully thrive. But the state
and local prospects are darker; it will take a veto by Gov. Jennifer
Granholm to prevent the cuts.
Then, train backers and riders will have to convince enough
legislators to restore the cuts to the Lansing and Grand Rapids
trains.
State legislators have said Amtrak should go through the same belt-
tightening as other state agencies. They say the $1 million can be
used elsewhere.
But state Rep. Shelley Taub, R-Bloomfield Hills, who has led the
fight for Amtrak cuts, fails to tell taxpayers that Amtrak money
comes out of a dedicated transportation fund, not the general fund.
The $1 million would not be used for education, Medicaid or other
programs that are really hurting.
Full Story
sword. First, President Bush and many Republicans in Congress are
trying to slash federal funding to the point that Amtrak might stop
operating this fall or winter.
Closer to home, Michigan legislators have cut $1 million from the
state's $7.1 million Amtrak fund, which could halt the Blue Water
passenger train that serves the Lansing area and a sister train that
serves Grand Rapids and Holland.
Happily, efforts are being made in Congress to restore and boost
funding to help Amtrak survive, and hopefully thrive. But the state
and local prospects are darker; it will take a veto by Gov. Jennifer
Granholm to prevent the cuts.
Then, train backers and riders will have to convince enough
legislators to restore the cuts to the Lansing and Grand Rapids
trains.
State legislators have said Amtrak should go through the same belt-
tightening as other state agencies. They say the $1 million can be
used elsewhere.
But state Rep. Shelley Taub, R-Bloomfield Hills, who has led the
fight for Amtrak cuts, fails to tell taxpayers that Amtrak money
comes out of a dedicated transportation fund, not the general fund.
The $1 million would not be used for education, Medicaid or other
programs that are really hurting.
Full Story
