I am writing today to announce the closure of the New Mexico Independent. After three and a half years of operation in New Mexico, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news…
While environmental activists played their part yesterday during demonstrations at the capitol building, going so far as to dress up as solar panels and to sing the tune of “You Are My Sunshine,” their counterparts, the anti-cap-and-trade contingency who has…
Roughly one quarter of University of New Mexico students are unimpressed with the state’s flagship public school, according to a survey that questioned college students about their higher education experiences.
While the New Mexico Rail Runner Express, the commuter train that runs from Belen to Santa Fe, has been one of Gov. Bill Richardson’s most visible accomplishments as governor, Richardson joined U.S. Senator Tom Udall in announcing plans to study a high-speed rail that would run from El Paso to Denver.
The plans to do a viability study were jumpstarted by the economic stimulus plan, which allotted $8 billion towards building high-speed rail in several corridors throughout the nation. A separate $5 billion is also earmarked to go towards the construction of high speed rail.
Currently, there are 10 high-speed rail corridors undergoing viability studies for potential high-speed rail construction, even though Congress authorized money for 11 studies. The Colorado-New Mexico-Texas corridor hopes to be the eleventh.
“The Southwest should not be left out as President Obama seeks to build high speed rail networks across the nation,” Udall, who is a member of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, is quoted as saying in a statement issues from his office.
In the same statement, Richardson, a Democrat, cited the “overwhelming success” of the Rail Runner as well as adding, “High-speed rail is the future of our country and is going to be a major boost to the economic vitality of the cities and states along its routes.”
Udall, also a Democrat, also noted the rail options from Albuquerque to Denver are limited to traveling to a hub in either Chicago or Los Angeles before making the trip up I-25.
In the statement, fellow Democrat Colorado Governor Bill Ritter added, “High-speed rail has long been a conversation in Colorado, and this designation would provide the funding needed to further examine its feasibility.”
Texas Governor Rick Perry, a Republican, is quoted as saying, “As we look for more efficient ways to keep Texans moving, high-speed rail is an important option, which is why I am supportive of this and other high-speed rail projects across Texas.”
The three states would receive up to $5 million from the Federal Railroad Administration under the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008. The three states will apply for the funding tomorrow.
