By Ron Thaniel
April 14, 2003

Citing strategic national importance and economic stimulus, the nation's mayors were joined by local and state leader this week urging increased investment in Amtrak and transportation in the concurrent resolution on the budget currently before congress in the conference committee.

Noting that Amtrak trains carry 60 million commuters to and from work in congested metropolitan areas and affect over 1 million daily commuter travelers through operating agreements and shared infrastructure, the Conference urged congressional conferees as well as Senate and House leadership to accept the funding level of $1.812 billion for Amtrak in the FY 2004 budget resolution as passed by the Senate.

Also, highlighting that transportation is the fundamental building block of the U.S. economy creating over 47,500 jobs for every $1 billion invested, the Conference called on conferees and Senate and House leadership to support the Senate resolution that increases budget authority for highways and transit programs to a total of $311.5 billion over the six year period from fiscal 2004 — 2009. This sets the parameters for the reauthorization of TEA-21.

To review the transportation and Amtrak letters sent to congress this week go to usmayors.org.