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by Paul Mangelsdorf
President
PaulM@TexasRailAdvocates.org

Texas Rail Advocates in Washington-November 3rd and 4th, November 5th 2003.

On Monday, November 3rd I arrived in Washington, D.C. at 12:45 aboard an Acela Express-forty five minutes late! In Spain if the high speed Ave is more than 2 minutes late, the trip is free!

The main meeting that afternoon was with Joe Guzzo in Senator Hutchison's office. I assured Joe of TRA’s support for S.B.1505. To my question about an earmark he answered that she would prefer to use money from S.B. 1505 (AREA-American Rail Equity Act); Joe said that it would take about one year under normal circumstances for her bill to work its way through the Senate. Election year politics could affect that estimate.

Assuming that her bill passes in a final vote it must then be combined with a similar measure in the House-most likely Congressman Don Young’s RIDE-21 bill. The Young bill is primarily a high-speed rail bill. How well the two pieces of legislation will come together isn't clear. Early 2005 was Joes estimate of when the legislation could become law.

Late Monday afternoon I met with Amy Amaldonodo from Senator Cornyn’s office. She wanted to know exactly what Texas Rail Advocates wanted. I unhesitatingly said "a federal earmark of $1 million for study of the South Central High Speed Rail Corridor."

Earlier that afternoon I met with Patrick Anderson from Congressman Bonilla’s office (San Antonio) and Dee Buchanan of Congressman Hensarling’s office (Dallas). Rail infrastructure's flexibility and low cost were emphasized, in both meetings.

Tuesday morning began with a stop at Congresswoman Kay Granger’s office. I left a presentation for Nora Bomar. We were not able to meet during this trip but I will stay in touch with Nora by voice mail and email..

At 10am, I had a good meeting with Randi Reid from Congressman Michael Burgess's office. She was scheduled to have lunch with Allan Rutter that day while I had lunch with John Cikota. Both are with the Federal Railroad Administration.

I also met with Josiah Daniel from Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson's office. Josiah suggested calling on Frank Mulvey Democratic council for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

My last morning meeting was a 30-minute meeting with Tucker Anderson from Congressman Pete Session’s office. Tucker said that a general agreement of all parties: Texas Rail Advocates, Texas High Speed Rail Corporation and Governor Perry about what rail projects need to be funded and at what levels would facilitate funding opportunities.

Lunch with John Cikota gave us a chance to catch up on rail issues. He is trying to encourage the multi modal division at TXDOT to do grade crossing evaluations for the Gulf Coast Corridor and look at multi modal passenger solutions.

My 2:30 meeting with Glenn Scammel, Republican counsel on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was most interesting. Glenn wasn't too optimistic about the final passage of Senator Hutchisons bill (S.B.1505). It combines both infrastructure and operations (Amtrak). Senator McCain who chairs the FULL committee is known to prefer that these two items be kept in separate legislative measures. Will he let Senator Hutchison’s bill make it through the "hurtles"? It is anyone’s guess. Secondly, Congressman Young's bill addresses only high-speed rail.

The congressman doesn't want High Speed Rail and Amtrak combined if Senator Hutchisons bill meets his in conference committee. Because next year is an election year legislative matters will be complicated by a shortened work period in September.

Glenn urged Texas Rail Advocates to pursue a federal earmark in the '05 budget and to get started in December for a mid Spring conclusion for best results. He felt it would be the surest way to get funding.

After my meeting with Glenn Scammel, I was able to get a few minutes with Frank Mulvey, Democratic counsel of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. In addition to an earmark, Frank also suggested seeking funds through the Swift Rail Development Act. This legislation is expected to be renewed this year.

Thus ended one and one half days of Capital Hill visits. The learning and advocating process continues.