Posted on 05/12/2010 5:59:21 AM PDT by Willie Green
A House committee Tuesday took the first steps toward setting up a means to establish train or light rail services in regions of the state.
The Committee on Transportation, Highways and Public Works gave unanimous support to House Bill 1410 by Rep. Michael Jackson, I-Baton Rouge, a longtime proponent of rail and mass transit. The bill now heads to the House floor for debate.
The measure would authorize two or more cities or parishes to form "rail compacts" to set up train or light rail services.
Jackson said the councils and voters of each parish or city involved would have to approve the rail compacts and service.
The compacts would be authorized to set fares and fees for operations and maintenance and to issue bonds for their projects.
If Baton Rouge and New Orleans want to have rapid rail or train service linking the two areas, but the parishes between them do not, those parishes could opt out but could not derail the project, Jackson said.
Parishes that opt out would not have stops or depots located in those areas and would not participate in financing the service or derive benefits from it.
Jackson said rail lines are an economic stimulus to an area and can create jobs and revenues for government and businesses.
The bill also would give the rail compacts the authority to contract with private businesses to provide rail service in an area.
The local compact could also seek federal funds for services, Jackson said.
(Excerpt) Read more at nola.com ...
Nobody should pay for it because it shouldn't be built.
Light rail - big liberal goal... doesn’t matter how much it costs... have.to.do.it!!!!!
But think of all the union jobs that can be created. LOL
Where will people go on this “light rail”?.........
Where does Bobby Jindal stand on this? This looks like an acid test moment for him if he has aspirations for national office.
Nobody should pay for it because it shouldn't be built.
Of course it should...
A modern, efficient passenger rail commuter system will stimulate economic growth and development.
...and the precedent for this assertion is?
You can lobby for it by sending an e-mail to
have.to.do.it@toiletflush.com
...and the precedent for this assertion is?US History: Westward Expansion, displacement of the Conestoga Wagon with the Iron Horse, etc. etc.
"Build it and they will come!"
Another baseless statement. The dollars squandered on this would be better spent by those who earned them on things that they actually needed or wanted. Now it it were ALL financed privately, I would have no argument with it because people can spend their money voluntarily on whatever they want.
If it is good economics, then an investor will pay for it instead of demanding government funding (or litigating against another corporation like BP to pay for it).
You have an active imagination.
Now it it were ALL financed privately, I would have no argument with it because people can spend their money voluntarily on whatever they want.
Don't be silly...
Our highways and roadways aren't privately financed.
Nor are our airways and navigable waterways.
In fact, our railways were all publicly financed when they were first built as well.
Utterly false. An excellent example of this is highway 78 running from Bremen to Temple GA. This excellent 4 lane divided highway was put in to facilitate former Ga House speaker Tom Murphy's commute from his district in Bremen to Atlanta < sarcasm>no corruption in the Ga legislature < /sarcasm>. This road has been there for at least 20 years, and no one has come. Bremen remains about the same as it was prior to the construction of the "tom Murphy highway."
A rail service between the few real cities in LA. would make too much sense. It would also be a way for citizens of SOUTH LA to have easier access to NORTH LA- which no one up there wants.
As a native and a resident I can promise you that nothing ever HAS or ever WILL happen in Louisiana unless the right politicians stand to make big money from it. Land acquisition, contracts- whatever is involved, follow the $$ and the politicians.
No matter how large or beneficial, if they can’t get the primary interest in it- it won’t happen. Conversely, if they DO stand to make big $$, zeppelin service from Boutte to Mamou will begin tomorrow.
Actually you should pay for it Willie. You’re the only one who will ride it. As for BP, What about the thousands of jobs and millions of dollars they have contributed to the Gulf Coast economy while drilling 5000 successful wells?
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