From August 19th Helena This Week - Montana Free Press
3 Questions For Commissioner Emily Dean
The Helena City Commission agreed to join the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority earlier this month as a member of its municipal partners program. The rail authority is leading the effort to add a passenger rail route connecting Seattle to Chicago and passing through some Montana cities, including Helena. City Commissioner Emily Dean spoke with MTFP about the commission’s decision to join the rail authority. Her comments have been edited for length and clarity.
MTFP: What benefits does the commission see in Helena joining the BSPRA?
Dean: As a commission, the discussion has surrounded the economic impacts. The economic impacts of connecting Helena residents and Montanans to jobs, health care and educational opportunities would be significant. The other piece of it is that in Montana, we spend so much of our time on the road for all sorts of reasons, whether it's work, fun, medical appointments, football games or basketball games. An Amtrak passenger rail through Helena would create more opportunities for our residents to access safe, reliable and sustainable modes of transportation. So adding another option for our residents would be a benefit and something I think that we should participate in.
MTFP: What has the public response been like?
Dean: First and foremost, the overwhelming majority of constituents' comments were supportive [of] Helena's participation and advocating for restoring passage rail through Amtrak service. A piece that I don't want to be lost is that at the national level, our federal government has prioritized investments in expanding and developing world-class passenger rail. We do not want rural America, including Montana, to be left behind. Restoring Amtrak, rail travel would provide this year-round safe, affordable transportation option for Helena residents and tourists alike. We want to be at the table as part of that conversation.
MTFP: What do you say to those who have concerns about how the rail would be funded?
Dean: I want to ensure that the voices of our constituents are part of the conversation about the renewal of Amtrak service through our communities. It's important to remember that the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority is the organizing entity, or vehicle, that was created to investigate, analyze, and seek funding to develop this long-distance passenger rail service. The project is designed to be [an] Amtrak service delivered by federal funding, not local funds. It's important to remember that the question of mill levy funding must be submitted to a vote of the people in each county that is a member. Any member county can leave the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority anytime. With that, this truly is like an organizing vehicle. Our participation is not in the interest of utilizing local taxes to fund something like this but in accessing the federal dollars that will bring Amtrak back.