The National Association of RR Passengers reported today that the transportation appropriations bill was finally passed by the House today, and that the Senate is expected to consider it on Dec. 4. It includes $521 million for Amtrak, which the corporation can receive all at once. See the full NARP hotline report at narprail.org.
The Associated Press distributed an interesting background article on Paul Weyrich, which ran in various papers and websites Nov 29-30, concerning his push to "dismantle" Amtrak via his membership in the Amtrak Reform Council. AP identified him as "a leader of the religious right who coined the phrase 'moral majority'".
The Amtrak Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Board said that with the current California state budget crisis, trains 10 and 11 may not get funded next year. The JPB said that some critical time slots need trains, so in the spring the schedules may be rearranged to fill the slots.