There will be a Joint session of the Standing Committee on Transportation and the Standing Committee on Appropriations on Thursday, August 30 from 10AM to 11AM - held in Room 228 of the State House in Augusta. At the moment, the Legislature is in recess - but this very special meeting has been arranged to allow discussion of LD (Legislative Document) 1790 - An Act to Secure Maine's Transportation Future.
You may remember this is the document which contains the language (among many other transportation related items) saying in so many words that It is the intent of the Legislature to provide permanent funding for Amtrak's Downeaster, commencing July 1, 2009 (when the federal funds run out).
It was presented in the closing moments of the Legislature in June and the legislature stripped any funding description from the bill. This meeting will allow discussion on just what funds will be tapped to provide permanent funding for our Downeaster.
It has just occured to us that this is the time to have a show of interest for the Legislature by our members and supporters. The presence and interest of as many supporters as are able to make it for that hour would be most helpful.
Remember there are some legislators who would just as soon see the train cease operations when the federal funding expires.
Short notice is always irritating, but if at all possible it would be heartening to see as many as can make it there. We were chided by a member of the governors staff last week for not "lining the halls of the capitol with members..." during these "difficult times".
TNE's Chairman, and the Rail Authority Executive Director will be attending - but seeing some 60 or so supporters would be pretty hard for the Legislators to ignore.
There's free, no time limit, parking in the multilevel garage across from the capitol and sometimes there's even 2-hour spaces in the parking lots surrounding the capitol complex and of course there's "cheap eats" in the state house cafeteria for those interested.. Bring anyone you think supports our issue - the more the merrier.
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