(The Longview News-Journal posted the following story by Charlene Draper on its website on September 30.)
LONGVIEW, Texas — U.S. Rep. Max Sandlin, D-Marshall, has criticized the federal 2004 Transportation and Treasury bill, claiming it would “absolutely gut” Amtrak funding.
Amtrak has requested $1.8 billion to continue current operations, but House representatives allocated just $900 million to the rail service.
“This funding will merely force Amtrak down the fast track to insolvency,” Sandlin said in a recent press release.
“Texas Amtrak routes are targeted for closure. Amtrak is a national rail service and Texas expects to be a part of the system. Being a part of the system includes keeping our routes open and operating fully for the riders in our state,” he said.
“Texans are not interested in losing their routes and simultaneously funding fancy commuter service in the Northeast, New York, and Boston,” he said. “The Texas Eagle is an important part of the transportation infrastructure of East Texas and is worth saving.”
Sandlin said local community groups in East Texas have fought to ensure the Texas Eagle, a part of the National Amtrak System, is a valuable and strong mode of transportation and economic development.
“This short sighted and dismal funding is merely an intentional recipe for failure,” he said.
Former Marshall Mayor Audrey Kariel, long a strong and outspoken proponent of Amtrak, urged East Texans to get involved.
“The debate is really whether we want Amtrak. If people want Amtrak they need to let their representatives know. I am afraid that we are ignoring the transportation issues in our area,” Kariel said.
Kariel is a member of the Texas Eagle Marketing and Promotion Organization started six years ago in Marshall to work with other cities on promoting the rail service. Kariel agreed with Sandlin on the funding issue.
“If there is going to be a national system then Texas has to be a part of it. The $900 million is not adequate,” she said.
Borrowing the slogan from Sen. Kay Bailey-Hutchison, Kariel said, “It’s national or nothing.”
“It’s just to early to tell what will happen,” said Mark Magliari, spokesman for Amtrak.
The difference between the House and Senate versions of the bill is funding.
“The House of Representatives are sponsoring a bill that will appropriate $900 million, and is about half of what is needed for our operation,” Magliari said. “The Senate has put forth a bill of about $1.38 billion, much closer to what will be needed.”
Magliara said the two bills will have to be merged into one. He also urged Texans to contact their representatives on the issue.