Hotline #811-A - February 7, 1994

President Clinton's 1995 budget request was unveiled today. It would boost Federal Railroad Administration appropriations by 17% compared with what was enacted for 1994. Amtrak itself rises 9%, from $909 million to $988 million. That includes $380 million for operations, $252 million for capital, and $156 million for mandatory payments. The Northeast Corridor drops from $225 million to $199.6 million. High-speed rail gets $32.5 million, up from $3.5 million this year.

Overall, the three intercity passenger rail categories rise 12% -- from $910 million to $1.021 billion. A separate item is a $90-million federal contribution to the Pennsylvania Station Redevelopment Project that includes the transformation of the Post Office building in Manhattan. That money is contingent on another $215 million from state, local, and private sources.

Maglev would virtually disappear from this year's budget, as the Administration seeks a rescission of $17 million of the $20 million appropriated for maglev research for 1994.

Transit would rise 4% but federal operating grants drop 25%. Ten percent of the transit program is earmarked for congestion reduction programs, whatever that may mean. Highway spending would rise 1%; aviation 2%.

Supporters of many other programs that Clinton cut or eliminated likely will attack the good passenger rail numbers.