FT 2-09: Railway Transport Act (Passed)

[Barnes]

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Order! I call the Prime Minister.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

My thanks to the Speaker.

This legislation represents the first third of a pan-regional, high-speed rail network stretching from San Francisco all the way to New England. Conceived as a collaboration between Fremont and her sister governments in Lincoln and the South, this project would be a tremendous boon for our economy, both in terms of short-term and long-term job creation. The first part of this bill mandates the construction of an interior line traversing the southwestern states of the Commonwealth; pending the adoption of equivalent legislation by the Southern Chamber of Delegates, a trans-regional line would be constructed linking the Fremontian branch to the Southern rail network.

Unfortunately, I have not yet heard back from either Game Moderator Dkrol or Deputy GM 1184AZ with regards to my request for a cost estimate, so I do not yet know how much this project would cost; once I have received said estimate, we can discus various methods of funding its construction, whether these be drawing on our significant surplus, increased revenue, adjustments to the budget, or possible federal matching funds.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

As promised, find here the formal cost estimate for this bill; my thanks to Game Moderator Dkrolga and Deputy Game Moderator 1184AZ for taking the time to prepare this.

At a price of $2,000,000 per mile, the construction of the main interior line and connecting lines proposed under Sections 2 and 3 would cost the region a grand total of $4.448 billion dollars. By way of reference, the region raised $521.611 billion in revenue last year and spent none of it, meaning we could implement this bill in full without raising taxes a penny. This bill represents a unique opportunity to create jobs and expand our infrastructure, and it is with great enthusiasm that I recommend it to the Commons.

[Barnes]

This proposal is a dynamic and forward-thinking plan which will meet the needs of our rapidly growing region and serve as a transformative economic powerhouse for our cities and rural areas. We are placed in a unique position thanks to our prudent fiscal management allowing us to invest heavily into our economy and our people without fear of budgetary constraint.

I am equally pleased that this is a cross-national project which unites the Labor governments across this land and shows the progressive policies of our party in action. I hope the conservative federal government will see the need and benefits of this program and make an appropriate investment.

[SUSAN CRUSHBONE]

i like the general idea, but is this really what it would look like?

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

i like the general idea, but is this really what it would look like?

[snip]

Basically, yes, though I'd be willing to entertain extending the interior line up the northern Pacific coast if the Commons thinks it advisable. Bear in mind also that the intent is for this to form the first third of the pan-regional "AtlasRail" system, which is the reason the project is so heavily concentrated in the southwest; depending on interest, we could potentially expand internal rail transport to include the northern and eastern reaches of the region.

[SUSAN CRUSHBONE]

offering an amendment to a) change the weird las vegas triangle thing and b) extend the line through colorado

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

Amendment is friendly (though it might be advisable to specify where the Las Vegas branch reconnects to the main line).

[Barnes]

The amendment moved by Ms. Evergreen is agreed to.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

I offer the following amendment:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Once we have finalized the route, I can re-calculate the cost of construction and move this towards completion.

[Barnes]

The amendment moved by the Prime Minister has been agreed to.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

As promised, an updated cost estimate to account for Evergreen's amendment:

ADDITION OF "SANTA FE - DENVER - BOULDER" LINE
369 mi x 2,000,000 = $738,000,000

ELIMINATION OF "LAS VEGAS - PHOENIX" LINE
(-334 mi) x 2,000,000 = -$668,000,000

UPDATED TOTAL COST
4,488,000,000 + (738,000,000 - 668,000,000) = $4,618,000,000

[Barnes]

The amendment moved by the Prime Minister is accepted.

I will be proposing an amendment later today or tomorrow to ensure that rural and regional communities can connect their local economies and industries into this transportation super system.

[Barnes]

I have not been able to work on my amendment and I think it can be accomplished through both executive order and further legislation.

I am now going to put the question. Members have twenty-four hours to object.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

For reference, the text of this bill as of the most recent amendment:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[Barnes]

The question is now that the bill be now passed. As many as are of that opinion, say Aye; those to the contrary, No.

Division!

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

AYE!

[1978 New Wave skinny trousers]

Aye

[RFayette]

Aye

[Barnes]

Aye!

[anthonyjg]

Aye

[Barnes]

The question is agreed to and the bill is passed.

[Unconditional Surrender Truman]

You must be logged in to read this quote.