McGovern Fills NEMW House Coalition Democratic Co-Chair Vacancy

Last week, Representative James McGovern (D-MA3) accepted the nomination of his fellow Northeast-Midwest Democratic colleagues to become the new Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition Democratic Co-Chair.  He joins Rep. Steve LaTourette (R-OH14), the standing Republican Co-Chair, to lead the important bipartisan Northeast-Midwest Congressional Coalition.  "It's a tremendous honor for me to co-chair the Northeast-Midwest Coalition with Congressman LaTourette.  Our region faces great challenges, but there are also great opportunities," McGovern said.

"I look forward to working with Congressman McGovern on issues of importance to the Northeast-Midwest region, like brownfields and manufacturing," LaTourette said. 

"Reps. LaTourette and McGovern will be compelling leaders to the region's NEMW Congressional Coalition as they work to bring urgently needed bipartisan solutions to our region's most pressing problems." said Allegra Cangelosi, Northeast-Midwest Institute President. 

Amtrak Faces Difficult Budget Climate

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure released a document calling for "reducing appropriations" for Amtrak, deemed "poorly equipped" to own and manage key rail assets.  The President's FY2012 budget request calls for $2.22 billion for Amtrak, an increase from previous funding levels in order to meet new ridership demands and to help upgrade the Northeast Corridor line.  Anthony Perl of the Post Carbon Institute said "[Amtrak] goes down to the point where it's almost dead, and they jolt it and it's almost out of a coma ... Keeping Amtrak in this state of near-death is one of the worst ways to run and expect better performance."  It is unclear what to expect from the final Amtrak appropriation and whether the funds will be enough to operate and expand service on its busiest lines.

Chesapeake Energy Officials Say Fluid and Gas Leak Under Control 

FHWA Provides Free Webinar Series on Pedestrian Safety Action Plan