Hollings proposes high-speed rail for nation
GREENVILLE, S.C. -- U.S. Sen. Ernest "Fritz" Hollings, D-S.C., says he has a better chance of getting a high-speed passenger rail system bill to pass the Senate this year, reported an Associated Press story in the Charlotte Observer.
The mass transit bill - reintroduced by Hollings in the Senate's first week after failing to reach a vote last year - would link the North Carolina cities of Charlotte and Raleigh with South Carolina's Greenville, Columbia, Florence, Charleston and Myrtle Beach and reach to Atlanta.
Republicans U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham of Seneca and U.S. Rep. Jim DeMint of Greenville said they support a nationwide rail system, but disagree with Hollings on how much Amtrak should be funded.
The Democrat's bill gives $4.6 billion a year through 2008 to a national rail system. That includes $580 million a year to Amtrak, which would be required to revise its accounting system, submit a five-year financial plan and report back to Congress.
Friday, January 17, 2003
Like us on Facebook at
Facebook.com/BLETNational
Sign up for BLET News Flash Alerts
