MIPRC submits 'outside witness testimony' to US Senate Appropriations' THUD Committee on federal FY 2017 funding

MIPRC has submitted outside witness testimony (OWT) to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) for FY 2017, asking for adequate funding to continue strengthening and expanding passenger rail service in our region.

MIPRC thanked the Committee for including a rail title for the first time in a transportation funding authorization (the FAST Act) and specifically asked that the Committee provide:

1. Appropriations for the three new rail capital investment programs created in the FAST Act (the “Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements” program; the “Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair” program; and the “Restoration and Enhancement Grants” program) at the levels authorized in the FAST Act;
2. Funding of Amtrak (NEC, National Network and Amtrak Inspector General) at the levels authorized in the Fast Act;
3. $350 million for the Railway-Highway Grade Crossings (Section 130) program;
4. Adequate funding to continue the activities of the Section 305 Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Committee;
5. $600 million for the multi-modal TIGER grant program

MIPRC also:

• Asked that the Committee include language that clearly recognizes that funds provided in the programs can be used for resilience and adaptation; and
• Thanked the Committee for providing $500,000 to assist state representatives to participate in the meetings and strengthen the overall effort of the State Amtrak Intercity Passenger Rail Committee (SAIPRC).

A PDF of MIPRC’s submitted testimony can be found here.