Final push for passenger rail

CEDAR RAPIDS - Lawmakers were in Cedar Rapids on Friday to get people on board with a proposed passenger rail. The rail would run from Iowa City to Chicago. Iowa has already been offered $230 million in federal funding, but the state would also have to provide funding.

The additional state funding needed has already passed in the Senate, but now faces the Republican controlled House.

“This is a great opportunity for the state of Iowa and we shouldn't let it go by,” said Des Moines Senator Matt McCoy.

But Marion Republican Representative Nick Wagner says getting it to pass in the House won't happen. “In the House we have been pretty clear, rail is not in our budget this year,” Wagner said.

Democratic leaders laid out the benefits of the passenger rail. They say it's not just about moving people, but also freight. They think that it will be an appeal to local businesses. They also hope it will create more competition, lowering airfare and gas prices.

The state would have to put up $6 million by fiscal year 2013, and eventually more money down the road. “We have funds in our gaming reserve fund, that's set up especially for infrastructure in this state,” McCoy said.

However, Wagner says that money should be put toward other things. “If you're looking at investing 20 million dollars in rail, we've got thousands of Iowans on a wait list for mental health facilities,” Wagner said.

Both parties agree Iowans should voice their opinion one way or the other. As the 2011 legislative session is coming to an end, they encourage people to act quickly.