Hotline #955 - November 8, 1996

With the elections now over, it is even more important to tell the President to do all the right things for Amtrak, as the President prepares his legislative proposals for 1998. We are hopeful about the Administration's position on letting states use flexible ISTEA funds on passenger-rail projects. But the Administration has yet to endorse the far more important issue of adequate federal capital investment, especially the half cent, or to clarify its position on Amtrak's $245 million operating-grant request. If the President does not support Amtrak on these tings, the Republican Congress is not likely to do any better. So call or write the President at the White House, Washington, DC 20500, or 202/456-1111.

The Congressional elections will mean some changes on important committees. In the Senate, John McCain (R.-Ariz.) is the likely Commerce Chairman, with jurisdiction over Amtrak. McCain sponsored the devastating Amtrak funding-cut amendment that the Senate defeated 82-17 on July 30. His record on Amtrak makes Kay Bailey Hutchison (R.-Tex.), the current subcommittee chairman, even more important to Amtrak. On Appropriations, Ted Stevens (R.-Alaska) becomes chairman -- there is no Amtrak service in Alaska, of course, but Stevens is interested in passenger rail issues as they affect the Alaska Railroad. A possibility for subcommittee chairman is Richard Shelby (R.-Ala.), one of the 17 Senators who voted for the McCain amendment.

In the House, there is little change on the authorizing Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. On Appropriations, Bob Livingston (R.-La.) is likely to remain chairman, and the odds seem to favor Frank Wolf (R.-Va.) remaining as transportation subcommittee chair. With Senator Hatfield out of the appropriations process, these two could be even tougher to deal with than they were this year.

These committee changes that look generally unfavorable to Amtrak make it even more important that the President give to Congress the right recommendations from the start.

Voters in three counties surrounding Seattle, Wash., approved a $4-billion transportation package, after having rejected a more expensive one last year. The new package includes a commuter rail line from Tacoma north to Seattle, Edmonds, and Everett; and a 21-mile, north-south light-rail line through downtown Seattle to the airport. The new governor of Washington, Gary Locke, said in his victory speech that transportation will be one of three priorities to be addressed in his administration. Unfortunately, it looks like the new head of the state senate transportation committee will be a trucking company owner from eastern Washington, who previously expressed dislike for rail programs.

The high number of absentee ballots that must be counted in Oregon have made it impossible to know the outcome of an initiative that would fund a north-south light-rail line for Portland and provide a state contribution to Pacific Northwest corridor capital improvements.

Voters in the Kansas City area approved funding to restore Union Station and make it a science museum, but Amtrak is likely to remain in its separate facility nearby.

New Amtrak timetables take effect this weekend. They have been in major stations for a week now.

A new station opens on the San Diegan route on November 10 at Grover Beach, Cal., 15 miles south of San Luis Obispo.

The Dade County, Fla., Metro Commission last month voted to stop funding its portion of the Tri-Rail commuter service. It is not clear yet that will have an impact on the service, but local activists hope to get the Commission to reconsider.