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Re: Trump's Budget? Doesn't Congress Pass Budgets?
Author: BOB2
Date: 03-18-2017 - 14:22
EGBOK!
Unfortunately, Amtrak has been on life support, for years.....
Part of the reason for the old State Supported corridors being "spun" off, in the last major Rail bill in 2008, was a recognitions of that reality. And, in the back of all of our minds, when we worked on those sections, we knew this might be one reason for
States and Locals to take charge of those programs.
The takeover by CA, Oregon, and Washington of the Starlight may be a distinct possibility, that may have to be explored. Meanwhile, I'd plan trips on the Super Chief, Sunset, and the like, now.......
Nothing has happened yet, and the self destructive nature of some of these proposed cuts on rural states, will have "blow back"......
While were all told that "elections have consequences", we live in a system of "checks and balances" that requires those that pass the laws and make up about 1/3 of our form of "government" to face the voters every two years, and some of these folks from rural districts, who would like to keep their jobs in Congress, are already having heartburn about these cuts already.
By the way, it's not just about cuts to choo-choo funding, some of the crazier ideas include things like the cut of all Cancer funding research, just adopted by the overwhelming majority of the Republicans Congress, just last December. So, if you think you're pissed off, about Amtrak long distance cuts, just take a number and get in line.....
I ran the effort in 1983 on behalf of the RLEA and UTU coordinating oppositions to Reagan's proposed Amtrak cuts, for the West Coast, and based on my experience, that if you don't like what is being proposed now, I'd suggest that you contact your Congressman and let him know what you think. And, maybe ask them where all of that so often "promised" and much ballyhooed "infrastructure spending" is in this so-called "Trump" budget?
Unfortunately, Amtrak has been on life support, for years.....
Part of the reason for the old State Supported corridors being "spun" off, in the last major Rail bill in 2008, was a recognitions of that reality. And, in the back of all of our minds, when we worked on those sections, we knew this might be one reason for
States and Locals to take charge of those programs.
The takeover by CA, Oregon, and Washington of the Starlight may be a distinct possibility, that may have to be explored. Meanwhile, I'd plan trips on the Super Chief, Sunset, and the like, now.......
Nothing has happened yet, and the self destructive nature of some of these proposed cuts on rural states, will have "blow back"......
While were all told that "elections have consequences", we live in a system of "checks and balances" that requires those that pass the laws and make up about 1/3 of our form of "government" to face the voters every two years, and some of these folks from rural districts, who would like to keep their jobs in Congress, are already having heartburn about these cuts already.
By the way, it's not just about cuts to choo-choo funding, some of the crazier ideas include things like the cut of all Cancer funding research, just adopted by the overwhelming majority of the Republicans Congress, just last December. So, if you think you're pissed off, about Amtrak long distance cuts, just take a number and get in line.....
I ran the effort in 1983 on behalf of the RLEA and UTU coordinating oppositions to Reagan's proposed Amtrak cuts, for the West Coast, and based on my experience, that if you don't like what is being proposed now, I'd suggest that you contact your Congressman and let him know what you think. And, maybe ask them where all of that so often "promised" and much ballyhooed "infrastructure spending" is in this so-called "Trump" budget?
