AJR22: Joint Resolution Text

LRB-2564/1

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1995 - 1996 LEGISLATURE

1995 Assembly JOINT RESOLUTION 22

February 14, 1995 - Introduced by Representatives R. Young, Baldwin, L. Young, Ourada, Hahn, Baldus, Plache, Boyle, Hasenohrl, Wirch, Urban, R. Potter, Gunderson, Wasserman and Bock, cosponsored by Senators Rude, Chvala, Petak, Moore, Breske, Burke, Clausing, Plewa and Andrea. Referred to Special committee on State-Federal Relations.

AJR22,1,2 Relating to: memorializing Congress to support Amtrak and rail passenger transportation.

AJR22,1,5 Whereas, Amtrak, the national railroad passenger corporation, is energy efficient and environmentally beneficial, consuming about half as much energy per passenger-mile as airlines and causing less air pollution; and

AJR22,1,9 Whereas, Amtrak provides mobility to citizens of many smaller communities poorly served by air and bus services, as well as to those who need trains as a travel option, such as senior citizens, disabled people, students and persons with medical conditions preventing them from flying; and

AJR22,1,11 Whereas, Amtrak is 9 times safer than driving on a passenger-mile basis, and operates even in severe weather conditions; and

AJR22,1,13 Whereas, Amtrak travel rose 48% from 1982 to 1993 and Amtrak dramatically improved coverage of its operating costs from revenues; and

AJR22,1,16 Whereas, expansion of Amtrak service by using existing rail rights-of-way would cost less and use less land than new highways and airports, and would further increase Amtrak's energy-efficiency advantage; and

AJR22,2,2 Whereas, federal investment in Amtrak has fallen in the last decade while federal investment in airports and highways has risen; and

AJR22,2,5 Whereas, states may use highway trust fund moneys as an 80% federal match for a variety of nonhighway programs, but states are prohibited from using such moneys for Amtrak projects; and

AJR22,2,6 Whereas, Amtrak pays a fuel tax that airlines do not currently pay; and

AJR22,2,8 Whereas, Amtrak workers and vendors pay more in taxes than the federal government invests in Amtrak; now, therefore, be it

AJR22,2,15 Resolved by the assembly, the Senate concurring, That the members of the legislature of the state of Wisconsin urge President Clinton and Congress to ensure that federal funding of Amtrak is not reduced; that Amtrak is exempted from paying any fuel taxes that airlines do not pay; that states are given the flexibility to use federal highway trust fund moneys on Amtrak projects, if they so choose; and that a strong Amtrak system is included by federal officials in any plans for a national transportation system; and, be it further

AJR22,2,19 Resolved, That the chief clerk of the assembly shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to President Clinton, the president of the U.S. senate, to the speaker of the U.S. house of representatives and to each member of the congressional delegation from this state.

AJR22,2,20 (End)