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June 5, 2000
The Honorable Frank R. Lautenberg
SH-506 Hart Senate Office Bldg
Washington, DC 20510-3002
Dear Senator Lautenberg:
On behalf of National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), I write in full support of S. 1900 "High-Speed Rail Investment Act" and commend you on your leadership in sponsoring the legislation. NCSL feels strongly that the legislation will strengthen high-speed rail investment and will benefit rail infrastructure nation-wide. We believe allowing and providing incentives for investment in the development of high-speed rail corridors could help states bolster an under-developed transportation alternative to help alleviate the stress on our overburdened airways and roadways.
NCSL believes developing a viable rail transportation system provides states with opportunities to reduce traffic congestion and to diversify the nation's transportation system, while contributing to economic growth and improved environment. In addition, NCSL is very supportive of the provision in S. 1900 that makes funds available to improving existing non-high-speed rail. This provision expands the potential benefit of the legislation to many states that have invested in rail, but not yet in high-speed rail. Overall, we believe the investment program will provide vast improvements in the development, safety and cost-efficiency of the high-speed rail program.
The nation's legislators believe that investing in high-speed rail is an important step in meeting the needs and solving the problems of our nation's transportation infrastructure. We look forward to working with you to ensure that states are able to take advantage of the benefits proposed in S. 1900.
Thank you for taking your valuable time to read this letter. Thank you for your leadership on this very important legislative initiative. We look forward to working with you to ensure its enactment.
Sincerely,
Senator Steve Thompson
Georgia State Senate
Chair, NCSL AFI Energy and Transportation Committee
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