Missouri Governor Proposes Funding
Increase for Amtrak
The budget
proposal submitted by Missouri
Governor
Jay Nixon included an additional $500,000 for Amtrak, for
a total of $10.2 million. Amtrak claims it will need $18 million from the state
to install positive train control, as mandated by Congress,
on the Missouri River Runner line, with a total cost of $30 million. You can
find more about this issue here.
Missouri Legislator Suggests Punt to
Counties
Missouri
State Representative Bryan Spencer proposed to make counties
responsible for the upkeep of certain roads that are currently maintained by
the state
(these are generally rural, two-lane highways). This would reduce the amount of
state-maintained roads by 19,000 miles. The roads in question have been
state-maintained since 1952, when they were shifted away from county
maintenance. To implement the proposal, the state constitution must be amended.
You can find more about this proposal here and here. Most proposals to improve Missouri’s
road funding problem involve raising the fuel tax.
WOMEN IN STEM
Women Take Lead at Engineering
Organization
The American Society
of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has nominated two women to the ballot for its
president-elect. Robin Kemper and
Kristina Swallow are both professional engineers, and one will be ASCE’s
president-elect and eventually president. Kemper provides expertise on
construction and professional liability issues at Zurich Services Corporation.
Swallow leads a team of public works engineers in Las Vegas. ASCE’s current
president-elect, Norma Jean Mattei, will step up to the office of president,
meaning the top two offices in the organization will be held by women for the
first time in the 164 years it has existed. You can find more here.
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