Ken Lettrell

The signed version can be found here.
 

STATE OF OKLAHOMA
             2nd Session of the 57th Legislature (2020)

HOUSE RESOLUTION 1036 By: Luttrell, Pfeiffer and Mize

                            AS INTRODUCED

A Resolution relating to passenger rail service;expressing support for the extension of Amtrak service between Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Newton,Kansas; expressing support for a multistate partnership between Amtrak and the states through which service operates; urging the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation to take certain action; and directing distribution.

    WHEREAS, numerous studies conducted by universities in Texas and Kansas have determined the economic benefit of Amtrak's Heartland Flyer passenger rail service and its extension to be at least three to one for every dollar spent; and

    WHEREAS, Amtrak has approached the State of Oklahoma to enter into a multioperational partnership for an extended Heartland Flyer, with connecting service between Amtrak's Southwest Chief and Texas Eagle; and

    WHEREAS, ridership on the Heartland Flyer extension from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Newton, Kansas, is anticipated to double if connected with the Southwest Chief in Newton, Kansas; and

WHEREAS, fully funded maintenance of the Southwest Chief is an integral and vital component of the Heartland Flyer extension; and

WHEREAS, The COVID-19 Virus state of emergency and steps taken to battle the virus have highlighted our need for safer travel options to enable residents in small cities to reach needed medical centers and to provide methods of travel to the many travelers who can no longer travel in airplanes due to their medical situations; and

WHEREAS, the Kansas Department of Transportation has been the recipient of several federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants that have improved the Southwest Chief tracks. The Southwest Chief serves several communities in the state of Kansas and laid the ground work for the planning and development of expanded passenger rail services; and

    WHEREAS, the Kansas House and Senate have passed the new Eisenhower Legacy Transportation Program, which includes money for the operational expenses of the Heartland Flyer extension from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Newton, Kansas; and

    WHEREAS, the Governor of the State of Kansas has proposed to dedicate funds in the Kansas state budget for preliminary work for the development of additional passenger rail service; and

WHEREAS, one of the primary responsibilities of state governmentis to plan for the immediate and long-term transportation needs ofthe state; and

    WHEREAS, passenger rail service generates economic and environmental benefits throughout the state and region; and

    WHEREAS, while extensive capital expenditures are necessary for the restoration of rail services between Newton, Kansas, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, the federal government will likely reauthorize funding for the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act; and

WHEREAS, Amtrak has presented to the 2020 Committee on Ways andMeans of the Kansas Senate a plan to request one hundred percent(100%) in federal funding for the passenger rail development of theHeartland Flyer extension through reauthorization.

    NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 2ND SESSION OF THE 57TH OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT the House of Representatives supports and endorses the extension of Amtrak service between Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Newton, Kansas.

THAT the House of Representatives supports a multistatepartnership between Amtrak and the states through which the servicewill operate.

THAT the House of Representatives urges the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation to support the inclusion of federal funding for the full implementation and development of the Heartland Flyer extension from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to Newton, Kansas, in the upcoming reauthorization.

THAT the House of Representative urges the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation to support the inclusion of full federalfunding for the maintenance of the Southwest Chief in the upcoming reauthorization.

THAT enrolled copies of this resolution be dispatched by the Clerk of the Oklahoma House of Representatives to each member of the Oklahoma Congressional Delegation and to the Secretary of the United States Department of Transportation.

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