Number
050090
Version
SUBSTITUTE 1
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BAUMAN
Title
Substitute resolution expressing the City of Milwaukee's support for U.S. House Bill 1631, the Rail Infrastructure Development and Expansion Act for the 21st Century.
Analysis
This resolution expresses the City of Milwaukee's support for U.S. House Bill 1631, the Rail Infrastructure Development and Expansion Act for the 21st Century. House Bill 1631 provides $60 billion in federal funding to improve and expand the nation's railroad infrastructure and to develop one or more high-speed rail systems in the United States. This resolution also authorizes and directs the Intergovernmental Relations Division-Department of Administration to lobby for passage of H.R. 1631.
Body
Whereas, In 2004, Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, carried a record 25.1 million passengers, a 4.3% increase over 2003; and
Whereas, Passenger rail travel provides Americans of all income levels, living in both rural and urban areas, with an alternative to travel by automobile or airplane, both of which have become heavily congested modes of transport; and
Whereas, Amtrak currently serves Milwaukee with 16 trains daily and is a popular choice for both business and leisure travelers visiting this city, as well as for Milwaukee residents traveling to Chicago and other destinations; and
Whereas, While passenger rail travel has been growing in popularity, investment in the nation's passenger rail infrastructure has not kept pace with demand or with the need for modernization; and
Whereas, Although Amtrak has indicated that it needs at least $1.8 billion annually for safe and efficient operation of the railroad, the federal budget provided only $1.2 billion for fiscal years 2004 and 2005, and President Bush has proposed zero funding for Amtrak for fiscal year 2006; and
Whereas, An efficient, affordable, comfortable and extensive passenger rail system has the potential to reduce, or at least slow the rate of growth, of automobile and airport traffic congestion, air pollution, energy consumption, and land consumption resulting from an auto-dominated transportation system; and
Whereas, The potential for achieving these benefits is even greater with the development of high-speed rail service, which is defined in various ways but is typically characterized by high-quality track, new, high-performance train equipment, few if any grade-level crossings with roadways, a limited number of station stops and speeds in excess of 125 miles per hour; and
Whereas, Several states and regions of the United States, including Florida, Texas, California, the Southeast and the Midwest, are at various stages of studying, planning or designing high-speed rail systems; and
Whereas, According to the Midwest High Speed Rail Association's web site, one of the proposed trunk routes for the Midwest high-speed rail network would serve Milwaukee and Madison; and
Whereas, The availability of high-speed rail service would make Milwaukee a more attractive place to live and do business; and
Whereas, Despite the benefits of high-speed rail, development of this technology in the U.S. has proceeded slowly, in large part because of inadequate financial support, so that the U.S. lags far behind other industrialized nations in developing a modern passenger rail system; and
Whereas, On April 27, 2005, the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved H.R. 1631, the Rail Infrastructure Development and Expansion Act for the 21st Century, a bipartisan bill that provides $60 billion in federal funding to improve and expand the nation's railroad infrastructure and develop a viable high-speed rail system; and
Whereas, H.R. 1631 would provide:
1. Authority for states or interstate compacts to issue $12 billion in federal tax-exempt bonds and $12 billion in federal tax-credit bonds over a 10-year period for infrastructure improvements related to development of high-speed passenger rail systems.
2. $100 million per year in grant funds for projects that develop high-speed rail corridors.
3. An increase in funding authority for the Railroad Rehabilitation & Infrastructure Financing loan and loan guarantee program from $3.5 billion to $35 billion of outstanding loan principal at any time.
; and
Whereas, The Milwaukee Common Council finds that passenger rail transportation is an important public service that contributes to the economic vitality of Milwaukee and provides Milwaukee residents with additional transportation choices and improved mobility, and that the development of high-speed rail would only enhance these rail-related benefits; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the City of Milwaukee supports passage of H.R. 1631, Rail Infrastructure Development and Expansion Act for the 21st Century; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Intergovernmental Relations Division-Department of Administration is authorized and directed to lobby for passage of H.R. 1631; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall send a copy of this resolution to each member of Wisconsin's Congressional delegation.
Requestor
Drafter
LRB05180-2
JDO
05/10/2005