Iowa Global Warming

Right now, great things are happening for the effort to bring rail service to Iowa. After a year of hard work, the legislature appropriated $3 million towards making rail a reality for our state – the first funding of its kind in Iowa. Earlier this week, Governor Culver signed the legislation into law. And this Saturday, the Governor is holding an event in downtown Des Moines to promote the benefits of bringing rail service across the state. The details are below, if you can make it please join us!

Saturday, May 9, 2009
 
WHAT:   Governor Culver will celebrate National Train Day by leading the Governor’s Train Day Special for a special ceremony in Downtown Des Moines
 
WHERE:  Outside Des Moines Historic Depot
              4th Street South of Court Avenue
              Des Moines, IA
 
WHEN:   10:00am

Come show your support for passenger rail and be part of a historic moment!

GOVERNOR’S TRAIN DAY SPECIAL WILL ROLL INTO DES MOINES SATURDAY
 
DES MOINES – Governor Chet Culver will mark National Train Day this Saturday by bringing the Governor’s Train Day Special from Valley Junction in West Des Moines into downtown Des Moines, where he will hold a public event with local leaders and transportation officials promoting the benefits of passenger rail to the state, and read a proclamation declaring National Train Day in Iowa.
 
“Restoring passenger rail service to some of Iowa’s largest cities has been one of my key priorities as governor,” said Governor Culver.  “I look forward to leading this special train into Des Moines on Saturday, and highlighting the economic benefits of passenger rail to our state.  I invite Iowans to come to downtown Des Moines Saturday and celebrate National Train Day in Iowa.”
 
National Train Day is designed to highlight the need for expanded passenger rail service across the country.  Iowa currently is served by two passenger trains – the California Zephyr and Southwest Chief – both of which serve southern Iowa.  Efforts have been taken in recent years to bring passenger rail service back to other portions of the state, with current proposals to bring service to Dubuque, the Quad Cities and Iowa City and longer term plans to bring service to other communities such as Des Moines and West Des Moines.
 
To help spur efforts, Governor Culver’s signature legislative accomplishment – the I-JOBS Initiative — includes $10 million for multi-modal transportation projects in Iowa, including $3 million for expanded passenger rail service in the state.  In addition, the Iowa Department of Transportation will be competing for federal passenger rail funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.  All of these steps position Iowa to work with Illinois and Amtrak to bring new passenger rail lines to the state that connect more Iowa communities with Chicago.
 
The Governor’s Train Day Special is being provided thanks to the generous efforts of the Iowa Interstate Railroad, Ltd., and logistical support has been provided by the Greater Des Moines Partnership.  The Governor’s event will coincide with the Downtown Farmers Market.

The time has really come for the final push on passenger rail. Ever since I first heard about the proposal to connect Chicago, the Quad Cities, Iowa City and Des Moines by rail, I’ve been thinking about how it would all culminate and now that’s what we’re seeing.

There is a bill on the table for discussion this week that could provide state funding for the rail project. The bill is Governor Culver’s I-JOBS program, which is in essence an infrastructure stimulus program. It would supply 750 million dollars for infrastructure improvements, which would in turn create an estimated 2,800 jobs. All of this means potential financing for rail.

The thing is, the bill will be decided on next week so our immediate action is vital. We’re making a big push for individuals to call and write their legislators because they need to hear from Iowans that rail is important to us. We are reaching out especially to students for their help. Young people will be so positively affected by passenger rail that it is essential that their voices are heard.

The issue, now, is not only getting support for passenger rail but getting support for the governor’s bill as well. Those opposed to the bill argue against how it is to be funded. It is a bonding bill so the 750 million dollars will come from a 20 year tax exempt bond that will be paid back annually through gaming revenue and existing tax revenue. Opponents argue that projects should be funded over time with taxes and that we should not be borrowing money. What they seem to be forgetting, however, is the purpose behind I-JOBS. Because of the state of the economy, job creation is needed now, not over time. The program is also perfect for projects like rail because funding provided through I-JOBS has to be used up within three years, and the money will be re-allocated if not used after a year. Those in favor of the bill recognize that it allows the state government to fund a large list of projects at once, and rail should be on that list.

Because I-JOBS is focussed on creating jobs, stimulating the economy and rebuilding infrastructure, the passenger rail project should receive funding because it is completely in line with the goals of I-JOBS. Passenger rail will help to bring Iowa’s infrastructure into the twenty-first century while at the same time creating both temporary construction and permanent jobs. It will stimulate the economy in the long term by attracting young professionals to the state and allowing for easy transport between Iowa’s cities. The added bonus is that it benefits the environment. Once we get I-JOBS passed, rail would be the perfect candidate for funding.

Passenger rail is so close to being a reality. We just need to make it known that we want it. Please help us, and Iowa, by taking a few moments to let your legislators know that rail is important to you.