It has been announced the US Department of Transportation is awarding $8 billion to states across the country for investment in high-speed rail service.  Disappointingly, Michigan is receiving just $40 million for new stations in Troy and Dearborn and upgrading the Battle Creek station.  Now that's not to say that the total investment in the Pontiac-Detroit-Chicago corridor won't be helpful, but it is disappointing because Michigan, had submitted a comprehensive proposal for implementing high-speed rail lines from Detroit to Chicago.  So naturally, as the League federal affairs person, I've been asked the proverbial question, why?  My response and my opinion is this...other states and regions across the country won out because they've already made billions of dollars of investment on their own putting in place the necessary infrastructure to be ready for such a program.  They've also exhibited a collaborative regional approach to the investments already made. And with only so much money to go around the federal government, like any other investor, is looking for the highest rate of return on dollars spent.  So let's use this as a lesson learned and a starting point in Michigan for us to get moving in the right directon, committing the necessary resources to put in place infrastructure that will support a multi-modal transportation system and do it in a collaborative manner across our entire state.  Arnold Weinfeld is the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Federal Affairs for the Michigan Municipal League.  He can be reached at 517-908-0304 or by e-mail 
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