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Feb. 12, 2009
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

GOP rides Reid on rail line funding in stimulus bill

By STEVE TETREAULT
STEPHENS WASHINGTON BUREAU

WASHINGTON — High-speed railroads that might someday whisk visitors between Las Vegas and Southern California received a boost under the economic stimulus bill. But Republicans are trying to make Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., pay a price for the plan.

Reid inserted $8 billion in the bill to construct high-speed rail lines. The amount was four times more than the Senate approved in an earlier version of the stimulus bill.


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    • Reid aides said the funding is in the form of competitive grants and the two competing rail projects in Southern Nevada would be eligible to apply, along with those in the Northeast.

    One project that has the backing of a California-Nevada commission proposes to build a 269-mile magnetic levitation train line between Las Vegas and Anaheim, Calif.

    The second, Desert Xpress, is proposing a passenger train between Las Vegas and Victorville, Calif., using conventional high-speed technology.

    The National Republican Senatorial Committee, which is trying to get Reid defeated in the 2010 elections, seized on the funding.

    In a press release this afternoon, the committee argued the rail money was evidence that Reid, the Senate majority leader, was going back on a promise to keep pet projects out of the $789 billion stimulus bill.

    Republicans also sought to tie a $30 million wetlands effort in the San Francisco Bay area to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.

    Reid called foul. The bill has “no specific language referencing the proposed Nevada rail projects, despite what the Republicans are pushing,” spokesman Jon Summers said.

    “The Secretary (of Transportation) will have complete flexibility as to which program he uses to allocate the funds,” Summers said in an e-mail. “This was a major priority for President Obama, and Sen. Reid ... supported it.”

    Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760.


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    Richard wrote on February 13, 2009 09:56 PM: The automobile and the plane are the new horse and buggy when compared to high speed rail. For trips under 600 miles, high speed rail is much faster and more comfortable. No more being jammed in planes like cattle after suffering through insecurity line-ups.


    texexnv wrote on February 13, 2009 01:11 PM: This is only half of the story....

    In order for Reid to get his mag-lev choo-choo, he swapped out the $15,000 home purchase tax credit which would have helped out a lot in the "foreclosure capital of the world". http://texex-xpress.blogspot.com/2009/02/reid-swaps-8-billion-mag-lev-for-home.html

    But selling out voters for Porky Pig pet projects is nothing new for Reid...


    NVMojo wrote on February 12, 2009 11:06 PM: where were these bleeding heart conservatives when Bush was blowing through BILLIONS of tax dollars in exclusive contracts with major donors for war and torture and spying on Americans?


    really wrote on February 12, 2009 10:37 PM: Didn't a high speed train fail once several years back....something like noone would ride it....Personally I would not take the train....but since obummer can do no wrong...who cares...maybe you should pass your coolaid to the rest of nevada so we can hallucinate with you....


    Great Job Harry wrote on February 12, 2009 10:02 PM: Good work Harry!

    Maybe after we replace planes with trains, we can replace cars with horses and buggies.


    Blind Faith wrote on February 12, 2009 10:00 PM: The blind faith continues, this won't get off the ground, California won't let train to Vegas happen. This is a weak attempt to buy votes. Reid should concentrate on helping his president keep his feet outta his mouth.


    Hairy Reed wrote on February 12, 2009 09:58 PM:
    The problem is no one wants to use it.
    Running an empty train on billion dollar tracks is a total waste of resources, fuel and money.

    We can't even get ridership on the Monorail locally, much less a long ride from Cali.


    Great wrote on February 12, 2009 09:55 PM:

    A great move - and hope we get the one to anaheim --- perfect for us.


    Reid is good for Nevada wrote on February 12, 2009 09:52 PM: This is great. Building the rail system will create jobs for both California and Nevada.
    This is great for Nevada and we are so thankful for Senator Reid and the position of power he has. Now the taxpayers who pay federal taxes can get some back in the form of tax refunds, tax credit, stimulus spending and infrastructure needed in Nevada.
    Great job senator Reid we will do all we can to keep you in office.


    honesty wrote on February 12, 2009 08:55 PM: gee, reid gets money for something that could lead to jobs, technology, reduced use of gasoline, increased travel between la and lv ... how awful ... why don't you right-wing hypocrites who have been defending that murdering moron who just left office after running up a killer debt do us all a favor ... move from nevada to oklahoma and raise the iq of both states ....


    Barrack Hussein Obama wrote on February 12, 2009 08:08 PM: Reid SUCKS!!!


    deanna wrote on February 12, 2009 08:05 PM: I think the Rail line is a good idea, reasons are that is the way the public traveled back in the 1800's, since Nevada is a Frontier State, we could set an example of going back in time, reducing Smog, and saving lives on I-15, one of the deadliest highways from LA-Vegas!


    mike wrote on February 12, 2009 07:39 PM: Good for Reid and Las Vegas for the rail system!!!!

    Excellent move.


    patrick wrote on February 12, 2009 07:01 PM: I just can't wait to hear all those republicans who criticized Sen. Reid for blocking funds for the nuke dump because of all those jobs Nevada would lose, JUMP to Harry's side because he potentially got 8 BILLION dollars for Nevada.

    Way to go Harry.