Attorney Michael G. Kulik, chair of the Greater Des Moines Partnership Transit 2030 Task Force, called for Iowa to sign on to passenger rail in his guest column Thursday. He highlights the 8 billion dollars in federal stimulus money available for the project as well as President Obama’s plan for a national rail network. He also includes President Obama’s statement from his Earth Day speech in Newton Wednesday that there needs to be passenger rail connecting Chicago and Des Moines.

Kulik emphasizes the many benefits of passenger rail service. He says that rail brings people into cities, strengthening business and stimulating the economy. He adds that it is more convenient and better for the environment than other forms of transportation.

Kulik stresses, however, that in order to benefit from passenger rail, we must act quickly. With a Midwestern rail network forming around us, we need to express our support to ensure that we become a vital part of it.

To read Kulik’s column in full, go here