TRA Washington Trip June 2004

by Paul Mangelsdorf
President
PaulM@TexasRailAdvocates.org

On June 21st and 22, I was in Washington , DC to meet with individuals in the offices of Texas Congressional delegates. A copy of the TxDOT letter requesting $2.2 million in federal monies to do grade crossing improvements along the South Central Corridor was left with the staff of each delegate as was The Case For the South Central High Speed Rail Corridor.

The following is an in depth report on the trip:

My first meeting on Monday ,was with Joe Guzzo, on Senator Hutchinson's staff. Even though Senator Hutchison was included on the CC portion of the letter from TxDOT,requesting grade crossing funding for the South Central High Speed Rail Corridor Joe had not seen it This same situation was apparent with the other staff members that I met with from other Texas delegates offices. NONE has seen the TxDOT letter. This letter can be viewed on our web site.

These meetings give Texas delegates OFFICIAL NOTICE of TxDOTs interest in the South Central High Speed Rail Corridor. A brochure from the South East High Speed Rail Corridor and the "Case For The South Central High Speed Rail Corridor" (NOW  on the web site) will be mailed to Joe Mondello-a key member of Senator Hutchinson's legislative team.

Amy Maldonado in Senator Cornyn's office was interested in our presentation and literature. Though Senator Cornyn is on a highway committee we still need to keep him posted on this issue.

I had a great lunch with John Cikota (in spite of a just sprained finger). He urged me to contact the official representative of Texas on Capital Hill and give a short briefing. At 9am Tuesday, I met with Tina Shaw at Union Station. She is somewhat familiar with the situation. We'll get her totally informed.

During my meeting with Tucker Anderson it was also suggested that we make contact with the office of Congressman John Culberson of Houston. He is on the House Transportation Appropriation Sub Committee and can play a role in our getting an earmark. FRA contacts  say that these in person visits are most beneficial in keeping the delegation up to date on what's going on.

I also left information for Barrett Karr in Representative Kay Granger's office. She spoke with me the prior Thursday June 17th. She is in the district, returning Tuesday evening, while I am in Washington. Had a good  meeting with Layton Skelly from Congressman Sam Johnson's office ( R-Plano) as well as  Patrick Anderson from Congressman Henry Bonillas (R - San Antonio) office.

Tuesday morning began with a 9am Meeting with Tina Shaw the TxDOT representative in Washington. I gave Layton and Patrick the Case for the South Central High Speed Rail Corridor and a copy of the TXDOT letter. She is familiar with the Corridor issue.

My next meeting was with Jeff Morehouse in Congressman John Culberson's office (7th Congressional District). I went through the entire South Central presentation with Jeff and answered his questions. Tony Easllih is the key contact in Congressman Cauldron's office. Representative Culberson is on the House Transportation Appropriations subcommittee.

At an 11 o'clock meeting with Glenn Scammel and John Brennan of the House Railroad Subcommittee, Glenn urged us to get another letter from TxDOT Executive Director Michael Behrens. This 2nd letter, almost identical to the April 13th letter, should request funds from the Swift High Speed Rail Development Act. This will increase the chances of getting a federal earmark of $2 million. Glenn also urged that we get all of the delegates along the route to send a letter to Congressman Ernest Istook and two other key committee members, asking for the federal earmark. Glenn feels that it will most likely be some time in January before a transportation bill is signed. This delay can be beneficial for the railroads.

Lunch was with Ron Davies, Curator of the Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian Institute. He informed me that fourteen countries currently have high speed rail (150-200mph) or are planning it.

I made two quick calls after lunch: Congressman Chet Edwards and Congressman Ralph Hall. I left our material for the appropriate individual and will follow up. At the offices of Powers Pyles Sutter and Verville (attorneys at law), I met with Judi Buckalew, Director: Public Policy and Legislation. Judi gave me the name of a confidant of Senator Hutchison. She suggested that through the Austin Chamber we become acquainted with her Judi also urges us to meet with Lt. Governor David Dewhurst.

THIS MONTH OF JULY has three important meetings scheduled. On the 7th of July we  met with North Central Texas Council of Governments Transportation Director, Michael Morris. Mr. Morris is interested in helping us produce a brochure on the South Central High Speed Rail Corridor. We will have an initial meeting to discuss the content of the brochure after our meeting at Burlington Northern Santa Fe on July 16th.

On Friday July 9th  our second joint meeting with the Dallas and Fort Worth Chambers occurred. We  explained our plan for introducing and promoting the South Central Corridor to them and invited them to partner with us. The two Chambers are interested in the brochure. Also of interest to them is the idea of a one day seminar to formally introduce the South Central High Speed Rail Corridor as well as the short and long term plans of the North Central Texas Council of Governments for rail in the region. A mid January date is possible.

On July 16th we meet with Mr. Matt Rose, President, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. We will ask him what corridor improvements he would most like to see. We will also ask him  to be the keynote speaker at a January seminar. These developments are encouraging. Rail freight traffic volumes continue to climb. Infrastructure expansion and improvements such as the South Central Corridor are badly needed.

Please contact either myself at 214-749-3549 (office) or Dick Watkins at 214-891-1185 if you'd like to be more active in Texas Rail Advocates.