Amtrak Again
Avoids Fiscal Derailment,
But What’s Next?
The
on-again, off-again saga surrounding Amtrak funding took a turn
for the better with $1.05 billion approved in the 2003 budget in
late February to fund the system for the remainder of the fiscal
year. But the national passenger train system—itself often
resembling a damsel tied to the tracks while a train quickly approaches—will
be bogged down with a list of conditions and administrative hurdles
to obtaining the money. And because this year’s budget passed
four months late, the next annual spending battle is only a few
short months away.
Although the $1.05 billion budget was 10 percent less than Amtrak
requested, it is far more than either President Bush or congressional
Republicans originally proposed. The funding will allow the system
to resume long-deferred maintenance on cars. But now Amtrak must
apply for grants through the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The change, which will create a layer of bureaucracy, was intended
as an extra measure of control for the Bush administration.
"If Amtrak wants to do something and the administration doesn’t
want it done, they won’t release the funds," said IBEW
Railroad Department International Representative Bill Bohne’.
"That’s what we’re fearful of."
Of the 25,000 workers employed by Amtrak, some 1,300 are IBEW members.
|
IBEWCURRENTS
May
2003 IBEW Journal
Of the
25,000 workers employed by Amtrak, some 1,300 are IBEW members. |
|