Your weekly source of fresh takes on news affecting America's passengers. See also the NARP Blog.
July 15, 1993
The House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, chaired by Bob Carr (D.-Mich.), voted this morning to accept the Tauzin amendment transferring $20 million from Amtrak operations to the Coast Guard. Rep. Lucien Blackwell (D.-Pa.) may distribute a "Dear Colleague" letter to all House Members protesting this action. Please encourage pro-Amtrak Representatives to contact Blackwell and offer to c...
July 9, 1993
Due to flooding, the California Zephyr and Southwest Chief are not running between Chicago and Denver or Kansas City. People starting trips on those segments will not get alternate transportation. Earlier, the California Zephyr ran on the Chicago & North Western. That is now closed, too, but may reopen sooner than the Burlington route. Amtrak says present conditions are likely through early ne...
July 2, 1993
The House did not consider H.R.2490, the 1994 DOT appropriations bill, this week and is not expected to take it up until the week of July 19. This gives you time to write to your Representative in opposition to the amendment Rep. Billy Tauzin (D.-Cal.) is to offer cutting Amtrak's operating figure $20 million -- from $351 million to $331 million and transferring the $20 million to the Coast Guard....
June 25, 1993
The House plans to consider H.R.2490, the 1994 DOT appropriations bill, on June 29. There may be an amendment from Rep. Billy Tauzin (D.-La.) cutting Amtrak's operating figure by $20 million -- from $351 million to $331 million, transferring the $20 million to the Coast Guard. Please urge your Representative to vote and work against this or any similar amendment. The Capitol switchboard is 202/224...
June 18, 1993
The House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures holds a June 22 hearing on, among other things, a proposal by Rep. Mel Reynolds (Ill.) to create an intercity passenger rail capital trust fund, using one cent (or about $30 million a year) of the 2.5 cents railroads pay on fuel that now goes to deficit reduction. The railroads seek instead to be relieved of this tax. NARP Executive...