California State Rail Plan 2007-08 to 2017-18

2007-08 – 2017-18 California State Rail PlanFFY 2008 BUDGET AND LEGISLATIVE REFORM PROPOSALSFor FY 08, the fundamentally challenging dynamics of properly funding railremain. Amtrak has requested a base appropriation of $1.53 billion ($498 millionOperations; $760 million capital; $285 million debt service), along with anadditional $150 million in Strategic Investment Needs ($100 million state capitalmatching; $50 million Station ADA compliance). The administration hasproposed $800 million for Amtrak, along with $100 million for state capitalmatching. As of this writing, the House has approved $1.4 billion for Amtrakalong with $50 million for state capital matching. The full Senate has not yetacted, but the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation approved$1.37 billion for Amtrak, along with an additional $100 million for state capitalmatching.Earlier this year, Senators Lautenberg and Lott introduced the Passenger RailInvestment and Improvement Act of 2007 (S.294), which is essentially the samelegislation that was introduced previously as S.1516. Among other items, S.294provides a six-year funding framework for Amtrak’s operating and capital needs.Over the life of the legislation, Amtrak’s operating grants are reduced by 40%, butits capital allocations increase dramatically. Additionally, S.294 provides$1.4 billion in state capital grants at an 80/20 level over a six-year period, alongwith other provisions including changes to the composition of Amtrak’s Board ofDirectors. At this point, companion legislation has not been introduced in theHouse, nor has a funding mechanism been identified.192