Category: State News

HARTFORD, CT – Governor Ned Lamont announced today that his administration is launching the Everybody Learns initiative: a $43.5 million investment in remote learning solutions to close the digital divide in Connecticut and empower students across the state to learn from home, especially as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues impacting the country. The governor said that the funding – which comes from the state’s portion of the federal CARES Act, the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, and the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund – will be used to purchase 50,000 laptops for students, 12 months of access to at-home internet for 60,000 students, create public hotspots free to the public at 200 community sites across the state, and offer social-emotional learning content to school districts statewide.

 

“There are few responsibilities more important to me as Governor than ensuring all students in Connecticut receive a high-quality, world-class education,” Governor Lamont said. “In 2020, it is paramount that every Connecticut student has access to high-speed internet, quality digital learning content, and a reliable and effective learning device. Too often, students of color and those in low-income communities are disproportionately disadvantaged by not having access to the learning technologies they need. Today I am taking measures to close this inequitable digital divide and ensure all of our students are set up for success with remote learning.”

 

The number of students identified as in need of access to laptops and at-home internet is based on survey information that was submitted to the State Department of Education and the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology. The state will purchase the at-home internet access through several broadband internet companies, including Altice USA/Optimum, Atlantic Broadband, Comcast, Cox, and Charter. The personal hotspots will be covered by  cellular signals through the student hotspot provider Kajeet.

 

The Office of the Governor, State Department of Education, Department of Administrative Services, Office of Policy and Management, and the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology will coordinate with internet companies and school districts to ensure students receive the learning devices as quickly as possible, and the form of internet coverage that meets their needs and empowers them to participate in high-quality remote learning. Likewise, internet providers have agreed to work closely with the administration and school IT directors to support households that have students who will be learning this fall.

 

“In order to support remote learning needs for our learners, we need to make sure they are connected,” Connecticut Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona said. “Addressing the digital divide has become our priority since a device and connection are no longer luxuries. Once connected, they must also have access to high-quality content to promote learning and social-emotional development. Under the leadership of Governor Lamont, our commitment remains focused on amplifying social-emotional supports for students and educators, and advancing equitable access to high-quality, high-impact, student-centered remote learning anytime, anywhere.”

 

The State Department of Education has made social and emotional well-being and mental health supports a priority given its relationship to improving conditions for learning and ultimately improving students’ school and life outcomes. During the long period of class cancellation, the need for quality social-emotional and mental health supports for students and educators has been intensified by pandemic related trauma, anxiety, and distance from the relationships formed at school. Putting a strong program of social and emotional learning (SEL) and mental health supports in place can ease the transition and mitigate issues that may otherwise occur. The department will devote CARES Act funding to supplement the development of a statewide SEL framework that will support educator professional learning and implementation of evidence-based programs. In addition, the department will:

 

·       Provide professional learning through RESCs and SERC to support educators in providing social and emotional supports;

·       Provide resources to districts for delivery of general behavioral and mental health screening; and

·       Promote the implementation of universal SEL curriculum/programming at the district level and secure resources for outreach or professional learning on Equity, Implicit Bias, and Inclusion.

 

“Educational equity in the 21^st century means that all students, no matter zip code or race, have access to technology resources that allow them to learn from home, on the go, and in the classroom,” Doug Casey, executive director of the Connecticut Commission for Educational Technology said. “Today’s investments take a significant step forward in closing the digital divide for learners of all ages across our state.”

 

The 200 hotspots will be open to the public at no cost to the user. The state will partner with the Connecticut Education Network (CEN) to utilize the fiber and infrastructure it already provides to sites in communities across the state and boost signals for the public at large to be able to access for free.

 

“CEN is thrilled to be working with the state to do what we do best, leverage our unique and high-quality fiber network to help Connecticut residents access reliable and fast internet coverage” Ryan Kocsondy, director of the Connecticut Education Network, said.

 

“At the start of the COVID-19 crisis, a huge focus for Altice USA and Optimum was ensuring that all students had access to broadband connectivity to enable them to continue their studies through the end of the school year,” Lee Schroeder, Altice USA executive vice president for government and community affairs, said. “We are proud to be working with Governor Lamont and the State of Connecticut to ensure continued connectivity for students as we head into the 2020-21 school year, and we applaud Connecticut’s approach to bring together schools, government, and broadband providers to help solve the digital divide together.”

 

“We are honored to partner with Governor Lamont to support families as we all prepare for the back to school season,” Dennis Mathew, senior vice president for Comcast’s Western New England region, said. “As Connecticut continues to manage the COVID-19 emergency, we recognize that Internet Essentials from Comcast plays an important role in helping residents stay connected and we appreciate the commitment of Governor Lamont and his team, especially during this unprecedented time.”

 

“We are committed to bringing reliable, high-performance broadband internet to homes that need it most, as work-from-home and online learning has become necessary in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Juan Dominguez, vice president of sales for Atlantic Broadband, said. “We are pleased to help make this initiative possible, and will work closely with state officials and our local school districts to ensure that serviceable households with students currently lacking connectivity will have great internet backed with local customer care and professional technical support.”

 

Districts will begin receiving communication from the state today about the process by which they will receive their laptops, broadband vouchers, or Kajeet hotspots. Community sites will soon receive communication from CEN about hotspots.

 

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WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) introduced the COVID-19 Medical Debt Collection Relief Act, legislation to prevent health care providers from taking drastic steps to collect medical debts from patients – including seizing bank accounts and garnishing wages.

 

Nearly one in four working-age American adults report having problems paying their medical bills. As our nation battles the COVID-19 pandemic, the financial and health consequences of medical debt are even more troubling. Reporting across the country has shown that some hospitals continue to seize bank accounts and garnish wages in order to collect medical debts, preventing Americans from using these funds to meet basic needs, like buying food or paying rent. The COVID-19 pandemic has also underscored longstanding racial inequities in our health care system. Data shows that Black and Latinx individuals are three times more likely to contract COVID-19 and twice as likely to die from COVID-19 – these same communities face significantly higher rates of debt collection and wage garnishment while simultaneously having less accrued savings and wealth.

 

In May, Murphy and Van Hollen sent a letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar urging him to take action to prevent hospitals from garnishing workers’ wages as a means to collect medical debt and that HHS should not provide emergency relief funds to hospitals undertaking this practice on consumers. Over the past year, Senator Murphy held listening sessions in Norwich and Stamford to hear from patients, advocates, and researchers about the impact of medical debt in communities across Connecticut.

 

“In the richest country in the world, you shouldn’t go bankrupt just because you get sick. But that is exactly what is happening in America right now, even as our country faces a once-in-a-century health and economic crisis. The legislation Senator Van Hollen and I are introducing today suspends all extraordinary actions by health providers for medical debt during the COVID-19 pandemic and holds health care providers and their agents liable for failure to comply. Medical debt accounts for almost two-thirds of all bankruptcies in this country, and as our country faces double digit unemployment, we shouldn’t be giving Americans one more reason to worry,” said Senator Murphy.

 

“As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rage across our country and families struggle to pay their rent and put food on the table, it’s unconscionable that some hospitals continue to seize patients’ wages and bank accounts to collect medical debts. This draconian practice can strip families of all they’ve got in one fell swoop. We should never allow medical debts to ruin peoples’ livelihoods – but especially not as we face this pandemic. That’s why we have introduced this legislation, and I’ll be pressing my colleagues to include these urgent protections in the next COVID-19 relief package,” said Senator Van Hollen.

  

“In the middle of a pandemic, families are struggling with medical debt. Through this bill, Senators Van Hollen and Murphy are standing up for consumers by creating a reprieve for tens of thousands of families who are grappling with medical debt right now, and need time to get back on track financially,” said National Consumer Law Center Attorney Jenifer Bosco.

 

“As families across the country continue to struggle to make ends meet during the pandemic, we cannot allow the threat of sky-high bills or medical debt to deter people from seeking care for themselves or a family member,” said Emily Stewart, executive director of Community Catalyst. “Aggressive medical debt collection practices disproportionately target Black Americans, who are already facing the brunt of the crisis through higher death and infection rates and job losses. Congressional action is urgently needed to alleviate the pressure medical debt has and will continue to cause families if it’s left unaddressed. We applaud Senators Van Hollen and Murphy for their leadership in proposing legislation that would put critical protections in place to shield people from medical debt during this crisis.”

 

The COVID-19 Medical Debt Collection Relief Act would:

·        Suspend all extraordinary collection actions by health care providers for all medical debt (e.g. wage garnishment, bank account seizure) during the covered period (i.e. from February 1, 2020 until the later of the end of the public health emergency or 18 months after enactment of this bill).

·        Allow suspension of existing repayment plans during the covered period for any medical debt, and ensure reasonable forbearance and repayment options for consumers. Interest or fees shall not accrue while the payment plan is suspended.

·        Implement consumer protections for medical debt that was incurred between February 1, 2020 and 60 days after the end of the public health emergency for COVID-19-related testing and treatment, including:

o   One-year extension of federal and state health insurance appeal deadlines;

o   Prohibition on accrual and collection of fees and interest related to these debts;

o   Prohibition on any extraordinary collection actions.

·        Hold health care providers and their agents liable for failure to comply.

 

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Experts say we are in for a busy hurricane season this summer and the American Red Cross needs volunteers to help in our community.

“The coronavirus pandemic will make it challenging to deploy trained disaster volunteers from other parts of the country should an emergency occur. In light of this, the Red Cross is asking you to be ready to help your community,” said Mario Bruno, CEO, American Red Cross in Connecticut and Rhode Island. “Train now to be a Red Cross volunteer and answer the call to help if the need arises here in our region.”

Full information on volunteer opportunities is available here. 

SHELTER HELP NEEDED There is a special need for volunteers to support sheltering efforts. Because of COVID-19, the Red Cross is placing those needing a safe place to stay in emergency hotel lodging when possible. If hotel stays aren’t possible, then the Red Cross will open traditional shelters. To help keep people safe, we have put in place additional precautions and developed special training for our workforce.

We need volunteers to help staff shelter reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information collection and other vital tasks to help those we serve. We have both associate and supervisory level opportunities available.

HEALTH SERVICES SUPPORT NEEDED If you are an RN, LPN, LVN, APRN, NP, EMT, paramedic, MD/DO or PA with an active, current and unencumbered license, the Red Cross needs your support. Volunteers are needed in shelters to help assess people’s health. Daily observation and health screening for COVID-19-like illness among shelter residents may also be required. RNs supervise all clinical tasks. 

Roles are also available for Certified Nursing Assistants, Certified Home Health Aides, student nurses and medical students. We need volunteers who can provide care as delegated by a licensed nurse in shelters. This could include assisting with activities of daily living, personal assistance services, providing health education and helping to replace medications, durable medical equipment or consumable medical supplies.

FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING If you are interested in helping our community should a disaster occur, please go toredcross.org/volunteertoday or contact Sarah Scheel: sarah.scheel@redcross.org, 860-426-5795.

Be sure to review the CDC guidance for people who are at higher risk for severe illness, consult your health care provider and follow local guidance. Our number one priority is the health and safety of our employees, volunteers and the people we serve.

About the American Red Cross: 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross. 

 

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Since the 1990s, the price of insulin has increased by over 1,000 percent, rising from $20 per vial to $248 per vial. For the six million Americans who rely on insulin, the price increases often have life or death consequences. One recent study found that 1 in 4 American patients ration their insulin due to cost, and this has resulted in tragic, avoidable and inexcusable deaths. HB 6003, “An Act Concerning Diabetes and High Deductible Health Plans,” would cap a person’s out-of-pocket cost of insulin at $25 per month, cap noninsulin drugs like glucagon at $25 per month, and cap diabetic equipment and supplies (such as blood glucose test strips, glucometers, lancets, and syringes) at $100 per month.

 

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Currently, Connecticut law only allows citizens to obtain an absentee ballot under very specific circumstances, such as a voter being on active duty or having an illness or disability that prevents them from voting in person. Since public health officials have warned that COVID-19 is likely to spread through crowded, indoor public gatherings, many voters who would not normally qualify for an absentee ballot are concerned about voting in person on Election Day. HB 6002, “An Act Concerning Absentee Voting and Reporting of Results at the 2020 State Election and Election Day Registration,” would amend Connecticut law only for the 2020 Election to allow for absentee voting due to “the sickness of COVID-19,” ensuring that no one is forced to choose between their health and their right to vote.

The bill also allows any person who is in line to vote before polls close at 8 p.m., to access Connecticut’s “same-day registration” procedure at that polling location, as long as they meet all of the state’s voter eligibility requirements (existing state law only allows for same-day voter registration from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. at specific locations in town, but then the voter must proceed to their own local polling place in order to cast their vote).

 

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Washington, DC – Yesterday, The House of Representatives passed the Great American Outdoors Act by a vote of 310-107.  This act fully funds the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and establishes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund.

“Southwest Connecticut is a place of great natural beauty,” said Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04).  “Our identity and economy are tied to the land, especially the Sound, and we have an obligation to conserve and improve the spaces around us.”

The $900 million dollars dedicated to the LWCF support the $887 billion outdoor recreation industry, one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy, and protects natural areas from development, an important element of climate stewardship.  In the past, the LWCF has provided funds to help Connecticut acquire or expand treasures like Sherwood Island, Weir Farm, Carwin Park, Oyster Shell Park, the Stamford Nature Center, Johnson Oak Park, Jennings Beach, and many other outdoor recreation spaces. In addition to the LWCF funding, the Great American Outdoors Act will provide funding for the National Park Service, the U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Bureau of Indian Education to begin to address a significant maintenance backlog and preserve the parks for future generations.

“This renewed, dedicated funding from LWCF will lead to opportunities for us to acquire and protect more public land for Connecticut families to enjoy,” Himes continued.  “I’ll work with the state to bring these federal dollars home.  We’re also optimistic that we’ll be able to secure maintenance funds for National Park-related areas in Connecticut like Weir Farm.”

 

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Domestic Travel

As you may have heard, there are new requirements and enforcement actions for the mandatory self-quarantine for domestic travel from states with high COVID-19 infection levels.

“Affected State”

• The benchmark for identifying these states is a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10% or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average to self-quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state.

• The current list of states that meet the above criteria is at 31. The list will be updated on a weekly basis.

• The list and a map of the states as well as additional relevant information such as the Executive Order, Travel Form, and Frequently Asked Questions about Connecticut’s Travel Policies can be accessed here: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Covid-19-Knowledge-Base/Travel-In-or-Out-of-CT?fbclid=IwAR1l_6pXVzDUeW–NJRCVHyRypYd1SJOUtJpNgpJIWscZbrpzc3_CYFP_iA

“Affected Traveler”

• An affected traveler is defined as a person who has spent 24-hours or longer in an Affected State within 14 days prior to arriving in CT.

• There are exemption for workers traveling from Affected States to CT, however if such worker was in an Affected State for a reason other than Connecticut-related work (e.g., vacation), such worker shall self-quarantine and complete the Travel Health Form.

 

Travel Health Form

• Anyone entering from one of the identified states must fill out a travel health form upon arrival. Travelers can fill out the form online at ct.gov/travelform.

 

• Affected travelers prior to arrival in CT shall complete a Travel Health Form which requires the person to disclose their name, the last Affected State in which such Affected Traveler has spent 24 hours or longer, last date of stay in such Affected State, date of arrival in Connecticut, address of designated self-quarantine location in Connecticut, length of stay, address in home state, cell phone number, contact phone number while in Connecticut, method of travel into Connecticut and information regarding accompanying minors.

 

Testing Alternative

• Only applicable if the Affected Traveler is unable to self-quarantine.

 

• Affected Traveler has to have a negative test result for COVID-19 in the 72 hours prior to arriving in Connecticut and provides written proof to the Commissioner or her designee of such a result.
  • If a test was obtained in the 72 hours prior to travel but the result is still pending at the time of arrival in CT, such Affected Traveler shall remain in self-quarantine in CT until the test result is received and the written results are submitted to the Commissioner or her designee.

 

Enforcement

• Any Affected Traveler willfully refusing or failing to self-quarantine or complete a Travel Health Form truthfully and accurately shall be subject to a fine up to $1,000 for each violation (up to $2,000 per person) imposed by the CT Department of Public Health.

 

 

 

International Travel

While there currently are no state restrictions on international travel, the federal government continues to provide international travel recommendations for anyone living inside of the United States. For guidance on international travel, visit the “COVID-19 Travel Recommendations” section of the CDC’s website.

Domestic Travel

As you may have heard, there are new requirements and enforcement actions for the mandatory self-quarantine for domestic travel from states with high COVID-19 infection levels.

“Affected State”

• The benchmark for identifying these states is a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or a state with a 10% or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average to self-quarantine for a 14-day period from the time of last contact within the identified state.

• The current list of states that meet the above criteria is at 31. The list will be updated on a weekly basis.

• The list and a map of the states, as well as additional relevant information such as the Executive Order, Travel Form, and Frequently Asked Questions about Connecticut’s Travel Policies, can be accessed here: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Covid-19-Knowledge-Base/Travel-In-or-Out-of-CT?fbclid=IwAR1l_6pXVzDUeW–NJRCVHyRypYd1SJOUtJpNgpJIWscZbrpzc3_CYFP_iA

“Affected Traveler”

• An affected traveler is defined as a person who has spent 24-hours or longer in an Affected State within 14 days prior to arriving in CT.

• There are exemption for workers traveling from Affected States to CT, however if such worker was in an Affected State for a reason other than Connecticut-related work (e.g., vacation), such worker shall self-quarantine and complete the Travel Health Form.

 

Travel Health Form

• Anyone entering from one of the identified states must fill out a travel health form upon arrival. Travelers can fill out the form online at ct.gov/travelform.

 

• Affected travelers prior to arrival in CT shall complete a Travel Health Form which requires the person to disclose their name, the last Affected State in which such Affected Traveler has spent 24 hours or longer, the last date of stay in such Affected State, date of arrival in Connecticut, address of the designated self-quarantine location in Connecticut, length of stay, address in home state, cell phone number, contact phone number while in Connecticut, method of travel into Connecticut and information regarding accompanying minors.

 

Testing Alternative

• Only applicable if the Affected Traveler is unable to self-quarantine.

 

• Affected Traveler has to have a negative test result for COVID-19 in the 72 hours prior to arriving in Connecticut and provides written proof to the Commissioner or her designee of such a result.
  • If a test was obtained in the 72 hours prior to travel but the result is still pending at the time of arrival in CT, such Affected Traveler shall remain in self-quarantine in CT until the test result is received and the written results are submitted to the Commissioner or her designee.

 

Enforcement

• Any Affected Traveler willfully refusing or failing to self-quarantine or complete a Travel Health Form truthfully and accurately shall be subject to a fine up to $1,000 for each violation (up to $2,000 per person) imposed by the CT Department of Public Health.

 

 

 

International Travel

While there currently are no state restrictions on international travel, the federal government continues to provide international travel recommendations for anyone living inside of the United States. For guidance on international travel, visit the “COVID-19 Travel Recommendations” section of the CDC’s website.

 

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Hartford, CT) – Attorney General William Tong today joined a coalition of 18 attorneys general from around the nation in urging the U.S Department of Education (DoE) to abandon a proposed rule that severely restricts the use of federal funds earmarked for students suffering from the devastating economic impact of COVID-19.

The CARES Act, passed in March to help boost the economy in response to COVID-19, appropriated more than $30 billion to DoE to assist students and schools facing unprecedented financial, logistical, and educational challenges. Congress placed no eligibility restrictions on the billions of dollars aimed at aid for students, but last month the DoE proposed a new rule that prohibits millions of students – including Dreamers and international students – from receiving the funds.

“This is another cruel and capricious attack on immigrants and international students,” Attorney General Tong said. “When COVID-19 closed schools and businesses, countless students lost their sources of income regardless of their immigration status. These students were unable to pay rent, afford groceries, and other basic needs and we must support them through these unprecedented hardships. The Department of Education should withdraw its punitive and misguided rule and allow our schools to support all of our students.”

In a comment letter to Secretary Betsy DeVos and the DoE, the coalition of attorneys general urge the department to immediately release the funds as the CARES Act intended. The coalition, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, argues that Congress did not impose any of the proposed rule’s eligibility restrictions on these grants for students.

Across the country, institutions of higher education expect billions of dollars in losses due to COVID-19 and the potential loss of international students who may return home if they cannot afford to stay, will create even more financial hardship for these institutions. In Connecticut, the University of Connecticut anticipates a $130 million loss over the next school year. Canceled procedures and other COVID-related disruptions at UConn Health have also led to a $188 million loss in revenue, with no rebound expected before 2021. In addition to these losses, UConn has also already spent $1.5 million on telehealth equipment and software, special cleaning agents, sanitizers, masks, and scrubs.

 

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#Washington, DC – Today, The House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a vote of 295-125. The bill funds defense and related programs and is one of the largest pieces of legislation that Congress passes each year.

“When we authorize funds for our national defense, we must ensure we’re prioritizing the right things,” said Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04). “This means maintaining our fighting capability, investing in technologies that are going to keep us a step ahead of our geopolitical rivals, taking care of our troops, and supporting American industry.  This bill achieves those goals and more.”

The NDAA contains significant funds for Connecticut-based companies that employ thousands of workers.  This includes:

• $6.8 billion for the Virginia class submarine program, an increase of $2.6 billion over the budget request, providing for construction of a second submarine.
• $4 billion to initiate construction of the new Columbia-class submarine
• $1 billion for 60 UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters built by Sikorsky.
• $1 billion for procurement of 7 new Ch-53K Marine heavy-lift helicopters built by Sikorsky.
• $2.8 billion for continued development of the B-21 Raider, partially developed by Pratt & Whitney.
• $2.2 billion for 12 KC-46A tanker aircraft, powered by Pratt & Whitney engines.
• $20 million to support training programs to help support expansion of the skilled submarine workforce
• More than $283 million for continued design improvements for future submarines
• $136 million for C-130H Modernization
• $799 million for the procurement of 79 F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.
• $973 million for procurement of 16 HH-60W Air Force search and rescue helicopters built by Sikorsky.

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Tom Udall (D-NM) and U.S. Representative Danny Davis (D-IL) introduced the Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act to permanently fund Amtrak. The bicameral legislation would create a dedicated fund to help Amtrak invest in major improvement projects, increase passenger rail’s efficiency, and help provide safer, more reliable service. Intercity passenger rail currently relies on the often unpredictable and limited annual appropriations process for funding, making it difficult to plan long-term, comprehensive investments needed to improve the system.

 

“This measure envisions a milestone, major commitment to rail transit in real money, for now and future generations,” said Blumenthal. “We must make a long-term, steady commitment to our nation’s intercity passenger rail system to ensure its safety and reliability for passengers. This legislation puts Amtrak on the right course to continually invest in and improve its operations. By establishing this fund, we are simply catching up with the longstanding investment in improving other critical American transportation infrastructure. This action is long overdue and we must pass this legislation immediately for the sake and safety of our traveling public.”

 

“Passenger rail represents opportunity for our nation on so many levels: as an economic engine, as a part of our transformation to cleaner, more efficient transportation infrastructure, as a solution to ground and airport traffic congestion while incorporating rural America into a national transportation system,” said Davis. “We have seen the consequences of postponing investments in this critical infrastructure. This bill recognizes the necessity of sustaining passenger rail with a dedicated funding stream.”

 

“Amtrak is an economic engine for communities in New Mexico and across the nation,” said Udall. “We need to invest in passenger rail to ensure that routes like the Southwest Chief – which connect rural communities throughout our state and bolster local economies – can stay running long into the future.”

 

The Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act would establish a new federal Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund and provide approximately $5.4 billion to that fund annually in grants for repairs, trip time optimizing investments, improving service, modernizing the fleet, and other needs. Forty percent would be reserved in the Northeast Corridor (Washington-New York-Boston) and 60 percent would be reserved for the National Network (Amtrak’s State-Supported and Long-Distance service lines). The full text of the Senate legislation can be found here and the bill summary can be found here. A similar version of the bill was introduced in the House.

 

The legislation is co-sponsored by U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (D-IL), Al Lawson (D-FL), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), and Bobby Rush (D-IL) in the House.

 

The Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act is endorsed by Amtrak, the Rail Passengers Association, and the National League of Cities.

 

“Amtrak commends Senator Blumenthal and Congressman Davis for their introduction of this important bicameral legislation,” said Amtrak President & CEO Bill Flynn. “Intercity passenger rail is the only major transportation mode that does not currently have a trust fund, which makes it difficult for Amtrak to fix our aged assets and best serve our customers across the nation. The Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act is a dedicated, predictable funding source and would truly be a game changer for our entire network. We urge Congress to consider its passage.”

 

“Predictable, dedicated funding has been a watchword for American passengers for the last 50 years, and we are incredibly pleased to finally endorse the bill that will make this goal a reality,” said Jim Mathews, President and CEO of the Rail Passengers Association. “There have been many worthy plans for building a 21^st Century passenger rail network in the U.S, but this bill is greater than that. The Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act fund is the engine that will start America’s passengers, finally, on our journey. We applaud Senator Blumenthal and Representative Davis for the ambition on display in this legislation, and look forward to working with them to make it law.”

 

“The National League of Cities thanks Senators Blumenthal and Udall, and Representative Davis for their leadership in introducing the Intercity Passenger Rail Trust Fund Act, which would provide rail investments with the same efficient financing tool that Congress provides to roads and transit through the Highway Trust Fund,” said Clarence Anthony, Executive Director and CEO of the National League of Cities. “A rail trust fund makes existing Congressional funding to Amtrak more effective as they make necessary upgrades. America’s cities benefit greatly from Amtrak’s service and from using taxpayers’ dollars efficiently, so we urge Congress to swiftly pass this common-sense proposal.”

 

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