The Obama administration has announced their intention to dedicate $53 billion over the next six years to continue construction of of a national high-speed and intercity passenger rail network.
The announcement, made by Vice-President Biden seeks to meet the Presidents goal, as outlined in the State of the Union address, of giving 80% of Americans access to high-speed rail in 25 years.
Such a commitment clearly sends a signal that in his upcoming budget, the President will continue to make high-speed rail a priority. In making the announcement the Vice-President noted that the proposal is the largest rail investment since Abraham Lincoln began the intercontinental railroad.
The Recovery Act 0f 2009 contained $8 billion for funding high-speed rail. Over $55 billion in requests was received. Western Europe, East Asia have had high-speed trains for years and now countires like China, Brazil and Morocco are getting into the game. Meanwhile, most of our trains travel at speeds that were common 100 years ago.
The proposal will face tough sledding amongst a Republican controlled House. Even, the new chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Congressman John Mica of Florida who has been more supportive of high-speed rail than others, expressed skepticism over the proposal.
Faced with a burgeoning federal budget deficit and a Congress that seems ready tackle it, the President's 2012 budget will contain both positives and negatives for local communities. Stay tuned.
Arnold Weinfeld is Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League. He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail.
9764622e-2a59-4deb-a415-4f5ca71da2e1|1|5.0
