Yes! Yes! Yes! Kerry dropped the rail bill today!

[beachmom]

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/11/kerry_pushes_hi.html

Senators John F. Kerry and Arlen Specter introduced a bill today to fund high-speed rail lines along the East Coast and in several other key areas of the country.

Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat, and Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican, said the legislation would help repair the nation's crumbling infrastructure, and at the same time create jobs when the country appears headed for a deep economic recession.

...

The bill would provide money for tax-exempt bonds to finance rail projects which reach a speed of at least 110 miles per hour. It would include $10 billion over 10 years to fund improvements in the Northeast and California, and $5.4 billion over a six-year period for 10 rail corridors, including connecting the cities of the Midwest through Chicago, connecting the cities of the Northwest, connecting the major cities within Texas and Florida, and connecting all the cities along the East Coast.

This is HUGE guys!!!

[TayTay]

1. I was waiting for you to see that.

This is going to be a terrific bill to track.

[beachmom]

2. And any details that come forth from you or anyone else who

finds something, please post here.

[MBS]

8. "terrific bill to track"

.. so to speak.:7

[karynnj]

10. Until your post I didn't get Tay's play on words

:)

[ProSense]

3. Sweet. n/t

[Noisy Democrat]

4. This is awesome!

This kind of thing is one of the many reasons I've been rooting for JK to stay in the Senate. If he does unexpectedly get an offer he can't refuse from Obama, I'll accept that he's gotta do what he's gotta do, but personally, I'm really hoping that we'll get to see him serve his full term in the Senate, because I think it's going to be exciting.

[beachmom]

5. If he gets this done, it should be named after him.

[JI7]

12. i'm tired of people bashing him for staying in the Senate

i'm glad he is doing what he does. i'm glad he isn't giving up on the issues important to him just beccause he didn't get some big mention before.

[karynnj]

6. This is great

(not to mention - 2 Boston Globe articles in one day)

Between them they clearly show that he is an important Senator.

[MBS]

7. fantastic news. Thanks! n/t

[MonteLukast]

9. This is wonderful!

And of course, our new Senate President, Joe Biden, is on board with this.

Good to see Arlen Specter came to our side on this, too.

[MH1]

11. Yes it's great to see

(I'm a big fan of rail travel and am very happy with JK for this)

but trust me, Arlen just knows what side his bread is buttered on in PA. He's up for re-election in 2010, and rail is rather popular with our population centers. :)

[beachmom]

13. More from the Los Angeles Times:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/bottleneck/2008/11/kerry-and-spect.html

Here is the full press release:

Kerry-Specter Bill Would Create Jobs, Stimulus, Infrastructure Investment

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Governor Ed Rendell Applaud National High-Speed Rail Initiative

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Sens. John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) introduced a bill to create new jobs by updating the nation’s crumbling infrastructure. The High-Speed Rail for America Act of 2008 would transform America’s outdated and underfunded passenger rail system into a world class system.

“At a time when our economy desperately needs a jumpstart, we need an effective national investment that puts Americans back to work,” said Sen. Kerry. “A first-rate rail system would protect our environment, save families time and money, reduce our dependency on foreign oil, and help get our economy moving again. The High-Speed Rail for America Act will help fix our crumbling infrastructure system, expand our economy, and match high-tech rail systems across the globe.”

“We must continue to focus our energies on building and maintaining a strong national passenger rail system in order to ease congestion of air and highway corridors connecting high-growth markets, as well as to meet energy and environmental goals,” said Sen. Specter. “The High-Speed Rail for America Act is an investment in our nation’s infrastructure and has the potential to provide tremendous economic opportunities throughout Pennsylvania and the nation.”

Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Chris Dodd (D-Conn.), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.), Joe Lieberman (I-CT.), Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), cosponsored the legislation.

New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell both voiced their support for the high-speed rail initiative.

“Creating a national high-speed rail network is an ambitious goal, but one that gets more urgent by the day,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Investing in modern infrastructure is vital to the nation’s long-term economic and environmental health - and in the short-term, it would help put more Americans back to work. Many countries in Europe and Asia are investing in high-speed rail, and if our economy is going to remain competitive, we have to start catching up. Greater investment in our railways is a top goal of Building America's Future, the infrastructure coalition that Governors Rendell and Schwarzenegger and I created. I applaud Senator Kerry for tackling the issue head-on, and I strongly support his efforts to create the high-speed rail network our country needs.”

“This long-overdue national investment in high-speed rail would help to stimulate economic recovery while creating good jobs that cannot be outsourced,” said Gov. Rendell, one of the founding co-chairs of the Building America’s Future coalition. “Expanding our nation’s critical rail infrastructure will make our transportation network more efficient, reduce traffic pressure on our already busy interstate highways, and improve the environment.”

The High-Speed Rail for America Act of 2008 builds upon the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 which reauthorizes Amtrak and authorizes $1.5 billion over a five-year period to finance the construction and equipment for eleven high-speed rail corridors. It provides billions of dollars in both tax-exempt and tax credit bond and provides assistance for rail projects of various speeds. The bill creates the Office of High-Speed passenger rail to oversee the development of high-speed rail and provides a consistent source of funding.

Specifically, the High-Speed Rail for America Act of 2008 provides $8 billion over a six-year period for tax-exempt bonds which finance high-speed rail projects which reach a speed of at least 110 miles per hour It creates a new category of tax-credit bonds – qualified rail bonds. There are two types of qualified rail bonds: super high-speed intercity rail facility bond and rail infrastructure bond. Super high-speed rail intercity facility bonds will encourage the development of true high-speed rail. The legislation provides $10 billion for these bonds over a ten-year period. This would help finance the California proposed corridor and make needed improvements to the Northeast corridor. The legislation provides $5.4 billion over a six-year period for rail infrastructure bonds. The Federal Rail Administration has already designated ten rail corridors that these bonds could help fund, including connecting the cities of the Midwest through Chicago, connecting the cities of the Northwest, connecting the major cities within Texas and Florida, and connecting all the cities up and down the East Coast.

I am a little disappointed not to see any other Republicans but moderates Specter and Snowe co-sponsoring this bill. Earlier reports in the Atlanta Journal Constitution said that Sen. Isakson was interested. Now I don't see his name. Does the decline in gas prices mean he and other conservatives no longer are interested in high speed rail?

[YvonneCa]

14. Thanks for the LA Times link...

...on this story. As a voter on Prop 1A here in Ca, I found the comments especially interesting. I really liked the one where the writer expressed his/her surprise that this legislation is already going. He/she expected to have to wait for Obama to get it going. :7

I REALLY just love the teamwork that is going on with our Dems. :)

[TayTay]

15. It will have to be reintroduced in the 111th Congress, but

this gives it a headstart. The Senator can send it around and get more sponsors over the break.

[YvonneCa]

18. I know. It's just that...

...with all the bad news about the economy (and there is a LOT) ... watching our Democrats gear up legislation on our priorities (after eight long years of hopelessness) does my heart good. I am grateful to my core. :)

[TayTay]

16. Remarks in the record on the High-Speed Rail bill, 11/19/08

By Mr. KERRY (for himself, Mr. SPECTER, Mr. LAUTENBERG, Mr. INOUYE, Mr. BROWN, Ms. STABENOW, Mrs. FEINSTEIN, Mr. DODD, Mr. CASEY, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mrs. CLINTON, Mr. SCHUMER, MS. SNOWE, Mr. MENENDEZ, and Mr. CARPER):

S. 3700. A bill to encourage and support the development of high-speed passenger rail transportation in the United States, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.

Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, this has been a volatile time for our financial system and our economy. Hopefully, we will be able to agree on a short-term stimulus relief that will help families who are suffering and states meet their financial obligations.

Next, we need to create new jobs by updating our infrastructure to help respond to the current challenges to our economy. I believe a first-rate American rail system is a critical part of the efforts to create jobs and expand our economy. It will also help make our air cleaner, ease traffic congestion, save families' money and time, and lessen our dependence on foreign oil.

That is why today, Senator SPECTER and I are introducing the High-Speed Rail for America Act of 2008. Senators LAUTENBERG, INOUYE, BROWN, STABENOW, FEINSTEIN, DODD, CASEY, LIEBERMAN, WHITEHOUSE, CLINTON, SCHUMER, SNOWE, and MENENDEZ are cosponsors. This legislation provides a bold new vision of how we approach transportation policy to expand our economy and keep up with changes in our society.

The High-Speed Rail for America Act of 2008 builds upon the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 which reauthorizes Amtrak and authorizes $1.5 billion over a five-year period to finance the construction and equipment for 11 highspeed rail corridors. I want to thank Senator LAUTENBERG for his leadership on reauthorizing Amtrak and making investment in high-speed rail a priority.

Today, Amtrak's Acela train on the Northeast Corridor is capable of reaching 150 miles per hour. However, due to a lack of infrastructure improvements, the Acela train only travels at 150 miles per hour on an 18-mile stretch in Rhode Island and a 10-mile stretch in Massachusetts. We must make appropriate improvements to our railroad tracks and bridges to allow high speed rail to work properly.

While the U.S. is investing heavily in other forms of transportation, our investment in world class rail is dwarfed by other countries. For example, Germany's federal government gives its states $8.9 billion a year for rail projects, France spends twenty times more per capita on rail than the U.S., and the Ministry of Railways in China invested $19.6 billion in rail in the first half of 2008 alone. That is why we need to provide a constant source of funding for investment in high-speed rail. The High-Speed Rail for America Act of 2008 will take our outdated and underfunded passenger rail system and transform it into a world class system.

The High-Speed Rail for America Act of 2008 builds on the authorization of highspeed rail grants by providing billions of dollars in both tax exempt and tax credit bonds. It provides assistance for rail projects of various speeds. The bill creates the Office of High-Speed Passenger Rail to oversee the development of high-speed rail and provides a consistent source of funding. This office will ensure that we have the leadership to keep this mission on track.

High-speed rail is often the fastest and most reliable way to get from downtown to downtown between most cities 100-500 miles apart. High-speed rail can save up to an hour per trip when compared to air travel and reduces trip time by more than 50 percent compared to driving. The legislation provides $8 billion over a 6-year period for tax-exempt bonds which finance high-speed rail projects which reach a speed of at least 110 miles per hour. This speed is often most practical for corridors of less than 100 miles or for less travelled routes which cannot justify the investment into world class high-speed rail traveling at 150 miles per hour.

The High-Speed Rail for America Act of 2008 also creates a new category of tax-credit bonds: qualified rail bonds. There are two types: super high-speed intercity rail facility bond and rail infrastructure bond. Super high-speed rail intercity facility bonds will encourage the development of true high-speed rail. The legislation provides $10 billion for these bonds over a six-year period. Rail projects that reach a speed of at least 150 miles per hour will be eligible for these bonds. This would help finance projects including the proposed California corridor and make needed improvements to the Northeast corridor.

Rail infrastructure bonds will fund projects approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation and be part of a State's official rail plan. The High-Speed Rail for America Act of 2008 provides $5.4 billion over a 6-year period for this type of bond. The Federal Rail Administration has already designated ten rail corridors that these bonds could help fund, including connecting the cities of the Midwest through Chicago, connecting the cities of the Northwest, connecting the major cities within Texas and Florida, and connecting all the cities up and down the East Coast. These are projects that are ready to go, but they need a source of financing.

The need for a bold shift in the way we approach transportation is clear. Traffic congestion continues to worsen in cities across the country, creating a $78 billion drain on the U.S. economy with 4.2 billion lost man hours of work and 2.8 billion gallons of wasted fuel. Last year, domestic flight delays cost the economy $41 billion and consumed about 740 million additional gallons of jet fuel waiting on the ground. Passenger rail reduces congestion and is an effective alternative to highway and air transportation. Americans want alternatives--and we can deliver them.

We must focus on making the transportation sector part of the solution to global climate change. The transportation sector accounts for approximately one-third of U.S. CO

2 emissions--and automobiles make up 60 percent of that. Public transportation is an essential part of the solution to global warming. According to the American Public Transportation Association, public transportation reduces CO

2 emissions by 37 million metric tons annually and saves the average American household over $6,000 annually.

The demand for alternative forms of transportation is only growing. The number of people riding Amtrak surged by more than 13 percent in July 2008 from a year earlier--the most passengers carried in any month during Amtrak's 37 year history. Amtrak ridership set an all-time record for fiscal year 2008, achieving growth of 11 percent.

As we look towards economic stimulus legislation next year, we must rethink the approach we have taken towards mobility in this country. Countries around the world have realized the benefits of high-speed rail and continue to build out their systems as we fall farther and farther behind. For far too long, we have not made adequate investment in our infrastructure. We cannot let this pattern continue.

We have all heard the skeptics and cynics dismiss the idea of high-speed rail for decades, but due to high energy prices, increased passenger rail ridership, and the need to reduce greenhouse gasses, the time is ripe for a big change. Not only will this change create a modern and reliable transportation network in the Untied States, it will provide tens of thousands of good new jobs and help stimulate the sluggish economy.

I pledge to continue fighting for the development of a modern high-speed rail system connecting the major cities across America, and I ask all my colleagues to support making this vision a reality.

[beachmom]

17. Thanks, Tay. Is the bill itself up at Thomas yet? Also, at least

one train blog is excited:

http://rbiii.wordpress.com/2008/11/20/kerry-pushes-high-speed-rail/

[cadmium]

19. New Thread on this subject

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=115&topic_id=176686&mesg_id=176686

it is in the environmental area on DU

[beachmom]

20. More excitement coming out of Illinois:

http://progressillinois.com/2008/11/25/hsr-coming-down-tracks

Edit: and Salt Lake City, Utah, too!!

http://www.sltrib.com/opinion/ci_11070639

[karynnj]

21. It is amazing how long ago Kerry started to fight for rail

To see how much the situation has changed, in 1990, Bush 1 vetoed a transportation bill with very modest improvements. Here was Kerry's speech then. They had to fight to save rail. (I looked because there was the usual - "no good, this should have been done decades ago" complaint by at least one person.) That veto was sustained. (http://www.senate.gov/legislative/LIS/roll_call_lists/roll_call_vote_cfm.cfm?congress=101&session=2&vote=00115) Senator Lautenberg led the effort that year - and it is why a station that connects many rail lines in NJ is named for him. We are in a far better situation now.

From June, 1990:
President, I would like to address for a moment the President's veto of the Amtrak authorization and why I believe we must vote to override this unfortunate use of Presidential power.

Mr. President, Amtrak is a critical component of our Nation's transportation system. Amtrak provides intercity and commuter rail passenger service in the United States on a network that extends from coast to coast. Approximately half of Amtrak's traffic and revenues are generated in the passenger corridor that extends from Boston to Washington, DC. This system carries more than 20 million passengers more than 5 billion passenger miles each year, and, its operating deficit has been declining significantly in recent years. For the people of Massachusetts Amtrak provides a critical link to the rest of our Nation and is an important part of the economic infrastructure of our economy. Amtrak is an essential part of America's future and the future of Massachusetts. In Boston and throughout Massachusetts the thousands who ride our commuter rail system every day and the tens of thousands who travel in and out of our State every year understand its value.

Moreover, just think for a moment about the environmental implications of Amtrak's 5 billion plus passenger miles each year that would have to be traveled by car or by plane if Amtrak were not available. Everyone in politics these days claims to be an environmentalist. But, when the speeches are over and the real work is done, it is support for environmentally critical basic services like Amtrak that make difference between environmental improvement and deterioration.

And, as I have said many times before, Federal support of Amtrak is one of the most cost-effective investments America's taxpayers have ever made. Just imagine the ten of billions of dollars in additional taxpayer dollars it would be necessary to spend on roads and bridges and airports if Amtrak and its workers were not on the job. And, imagine the highway deaths and injuries that would result from the inevitable increase in highway travel and congestion that Americans without Amtrak would endure.

Mr. President, I have opposed administration attempts to kill Amtrak since the day I arrived in the Senate. In fact, as Lieutenant Governor of Massachusetts I helped to rally support for this important service. I am very sorry that their administration has chosen to continue this misguided opposition of its predecessor to Amtrak. I was hoping that a `kinder and gentler' President would look beyond ideology to the real and unmatchable value of this system to our people.

As a Senator from Massachusetts, I am looking forward to improved Amtrak service in the Northeast. We have a great opportunity to begin to provide fast train service from Boston to New York. The legislation before us includes a provision which I proposed that will lead us to much more rapid service between Boston and New York. The benefits of this service to my State are tremendous and have been fostered and endorsed by the coalition of Northeast Governors who have been working toward this goal for many years.

But, Mr. President, as I argue again for Amtrak and reiterate my full support, I would be remiss if I did not take this opportunity to raise one serious concern.

Mr. President, I am concerned with the trend in labor-management relations at Amtrak. I am hearing too frequently from the men and women who make Amtrak what it is today, that they are unhappy and concerned with the way in which they are being treated. This simply must be revised in the interest of all of us.

We must be able to attract and retain the best railworkers available in Amtrak. Only a well trained, well motivated, highly productive and fairly compensated labor force is capable of keeping Amtrak safe, efficient, and attractive to our passengers.

In conclusion, Mr. President, I call in all of my colleagues to join me in overriding this unfortunate Presidential veto. A strong, healthy, productive passenger rail system, operated by dedicated men and women who are paid an equitable wage, is vital to the economic security and environmental health of this country and of Massachusetts. I recommit myself and my full efforts to Amtrak, its workers and its passengers, to see that our shared vision of our passenger rail future is realized."

Eventually that year, money for the high speed rail from NY to Boston was approved in a budget that passed on Oct 27, 1990. (which both Lautenberg and Kerry voted against - even though they did win some of what they wanted) - here is from the record on Oct 27, 1990:
"Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I rise to engage the distinguished chairman of the subcommittee, the Senator from New Jersey , in a brief colloquy regarding the provision of funds for the Northeast corridor Improvement Program. The conferees have recommended $14 million for dual-propulsion locomotives under this program, and my inquiry to the Senator is whether it is his understanding that the intent of the conferees was that these funds would be available for the development and procurement of prototype dual-propulsion locomotives capable of operating at speeds of up to 125 mph between New York and Boston?

Mr. LAUTENBERG. That was the conferees' intention.

Mr. KERRY. Is it also the Senator's understanding that the funds provided could be used to procure the prototype power cars necessary to operate two train sets for high speed Northeast corridor service?

Mr. LAUTENBERG. That is my understanding as well.

Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I appreciate the remarks of the Senator from New Jersey, and want to express to him and to the Senator from New York , my appreciation for their support of this important initiative to provide high quality, high speed rail service on the Northeast corridor between New York and Boston. "

[beachmom]

22. One of the specialty rail blogs has an analysis of the bill:

http://thetransportpolitic.wordpress.com/2008/12/08/an-in-depth-look-at-kerrys-high-speed-rail-bill/

I hope Kerry staffers can take a look at this. Very detailed.

[karynnj]

23. That is a very interesting blog and the comments make sense

There is an interesting trade off between trying to get a multi-year funding that goes for a longer interval and what is there. If you think of the Bush tax cuts, there was an audacity of putting out a 10 year plan - it really has been treated as a fait accompli by the Republicans such that repealing a future years tax cut is a tax increase. But, it might be impossible to pass something with a larger amount of money - even if it is suppose to be in later years. (not to mention something in the future can not be a stimulus)

I would think that if the projects in the early years are ones very likely to be very successful, continuing to add it in other areas will be easier, not harder.

But I agree with you that I hope the staffers are reviewing things like this.

[beachmom]

24. And the discussion continues on yet another rail blog:

http://trains4america.wordpress.com/2008/12/09/taking-a-serious-look-at-the-kerry-hsr-bill/

[karynnj]

25. The Secretary of Transportation MAY be bad for high speed rail

Here is a link from DKOS by one of the guys who has a rail blog with a link in it about his being against it in Illinois. (I am giving the Kos link - as it is on the SoT and someone may know more and counter it - I hope.
http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2008/12/17/17397/529/107#c107