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Schumer fights for Amtrak funding
Capital News 9 ^
| 3/8/04
| Capital News 9 web staff
Posted on 03/08/2004 3:47:20 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
New York Senator Charles Schumer visited the Rensselaer train station, pushing for the $1.8 billion Amtrak said it needs to stay in operation. Schumer said if you cut Amtrak, you're not just shutting down trains, but jobs as well.
He said, "The company needs more money just to stay afloat this year. If Amtrak doesn't get the money, they could very well be forced to shut down service."
In the federal budget proposal, only $900 million was allotted to Amtrak. Officials said that without the full funding, Amtrak will have to shut down, including the three lines that service the Albany area.
TOPICS: Business/Economy; Government
KEYWORDS: amtrak; transporation
To: Tumbleweed_Connection
"The company 8-track tape manufacturer needs more money just to stay afloat this year. If Amtrak the 8-track tape manufacturer doesn't get the money, they could very well be forced to shut down service." -- Shumer
2
posted on
03/08/2004 3:54:43 PM PST
by
quark
To: Tumbleweed_Connection
Ummm...I've got an idea -
How about complete privatization. If that doesn't work - goodbye Amtrak.....
3
posted on
03/08/2004 4:06:14 PM PST
by
TheBattman
(leadership = http://www.whitehouse.gov/president/gwbbio.html)
To: Tumbleweed_Connection
Wow, I need to start a company, hire hundreds of union workers, pay the union goons high wages, mismanage expenses, mismanage the company, and then demand the government give me money to keep my business operating so I do not lay off the high paying union employees.
4
posted on
03/08/2004 4:10:17 PM PST
by
martinidon
("who would Saddam and Osama vote for in this years election...")
To: TheBattman
The problem with privatization is govt companies can not exist operating as a real business because they would have to operate under real business practices!
5
posted on
03/08/2004 4:13:31 PM PST
by
martinidon
("who would Saddam and Osama vote for in this years election...")
To: quark
Our National Passenger Railway:
6
posted on
03/08/2004 4:19:03 PM PST
by
Rebel_Ace
(Tags?!? Tags?!? We don' neeeed no stinkin' Tags!)
To: Tumbleweed_Connection
I am a supporter of rail, but the current Amtrak is un-fixable, with a route system based upon politics instead of being customer driven. (Trains run from DC to West Virginia, but not LA to Las Vegas).
Amtrak (and its legacy union contracts) should be scrapped, and regional rail systems should be built and supported where states and local governments are willing to put up money.
7
posted on
03/08/2004 5:59:24 PM PST
by
PAR35
To: TheBattman
Amtrak is the remnants of the Pennsylvannia RR, which was in bamkruptcy when Amtrak was created to save it. Its serves as a shining example of what your average congresscritter DOES NOT know about business, or capitalism for that matter. There will be far more jobs created if Amtrak dies than if they keep it on lifesupport for thirty more years. Chuckie is a schmuck.
Trouble is, Alfonse D'Amato was just as big a schmuck.
8
posted on
03/08/2004 6:11:08 PM PST
by
kylaka
(The Clintons are the democRATS crack cocaine. They know they're bad for them, they just can't stop.)
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