House Passes Boost To Amtrak (Maybe To Moynihan Station, Too!)
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed a bill that would authorize billions in federal spending on Amtrak, boosting opportunities for high-speed rail and other programs in the Northeast and around the country.
The bill, which would allow more than $14 billion in spending, could also provide some money for Moynihan Station as part of a $2.5 billion grant program, according to Representative Jerry Nadler’s office, which has been active in pushing the bill. It also contains a provision that would have Amtrak take proposals to build a higher-speed rail link between Washington, D.C., and New York City, looking to reduce the trip to two hours; however, such a proposal would likely cost billions.
The Senate passed its version of an Amtrak reauthorization last year, which would authorize $10 billion in spending. Both the House bill and the bill in the Senate, pushed by Senator Frank Lautenberg, passed by veto-proof majorities.
GASOLINE IS NOW $4.05 A GALLON, PER AAA. DOES ANYONE CARE?
The cost of oil and gasoline is destroying our economy. The Dow Jones stock market index is down (minus) 200 points today. The Energy Department says to expect gas to remain at four dollars a gallon for 2009.
WHAT IS OUR GOVERNMENT DOING ABOUT THIS? APPARENTLY NOTHING EXCEPT REPORTING THE BAD NEWSTO US. BOTH DEMOCRATS & REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN BICKERING ABOUT MUNDANE ISSUES WHILE THIS ENERGY CRISIS WAS DEVELOPING.
Our Congress and President has either been ‘asleep at the switch’ or ‘afraid to tell us’ the economic doom that was coming. These outrageous energy costs on top of the mortgage crisis will be absolutely devastating to the lower-middle class and working-poor families.
MANY WILL LOSE EVERYTHING — JOBS & HOMES & HEALTHCARE.
TAXPAYERS WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FUND ANY ADDITIONAL “HEALTHCARE” PROGRAMS.
DOES ANYONE CARE ABOUT OUR COLLAPSING ECONOMY?
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