Press Release Archive
Monday, May 4, 2009
Governor Culver Signs Legislation To Help Bring Passenger Rail To Iowa
DAVENPORT – Governor Chet Culver traveled to Davenport to talk with residents about the benefits of the recently created I-JOBS program and to sign into law Senate File 151, which makes it easier for Iowa to enter into agreements that would foster the growth of passenger rail service in Iowa. The Governor signed the legislation at a former railroad station in Davenport, a community seeking to attract passenger rail service that would connect with Chicago.
“Passenger rail service is a key component to our state’s economic development efforts,” said Governor Culver. “By making it easier to connect between our state and key cities throughout the Midwest and the nation, we can attract new companies and bring new jobs to Iowa. This legislation, along with our other efforts this legislative session, puts us in the position to bring new lines to Iowa, and I look forward to continuing our work to bring passenger rail to Iowa.”
Senate File 151 includes several provisions related to freight and passenger rail service. The bill eliminates the Iowa Railway Finance Authority and transfers the responsibilities for the administration of the Rail Revolving Loan and Grant Fund and Passenger Rail Service Revolving Fund to the Department of Transportation. In addition, the bill removes the maximum threshold that applies to grants in the Rail Revolving Loan and Grant Program, and expands the Director of Transportation’s authorization to enter into agreements related to passenger rail service.
During the event, the Governor also highlighted his signature jobs and economic program – I-JOBS – which will invest $830 million in Iowa’s aging infrastructure, including $115 million for roads, bridges and transportation projects around the state. The initiative is expected to create and retain thousands of jobs while revitalizing Iowa’s communities and rebuilding our state after last year’s natural disasters. I-JOBS includes $10 million for multi-modal transportation projects in Iowa, including rail.
In addition to I-JOBS and Senate File 151, the state of Iowa took steps in recent months to help bring new passenger rail service to the state, including budgeting $3 million for passenger rail efforts. The state will also be competing for federal passenger rail funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These steps position Iowa to work with Illinois and AMTRAK to bring new passenger rail lines to the state that connect more Iowa communities with Chicago.
In addition, today Governor Culver signed Senate File 472, which appropriates $149,184,957 for the Iowa Judicial Branch, and provides for additional budget savings measures.