The Kentucky U.S. Senate Democratic Primary: Dr. Mongiardo and AG Conway Sharply Differ on Light Rail for Kentucky

January 29, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Contact: Kim Geveden
(502) 682-2010
[email protected]

Annette Lee
(502) 498-4008x230
[email protected]

Mongiardo Renews Call for Kentucky To Be Included in Nation’s High Speed Rail Plan: Applauds  News  Kentucky To Be Included in Feasibility Study

Conway Has Said Including Kentucky in Plan, “Is Not Rooted in Reality

FRANKFORT --- In the wake of today’s announcement that the Federal Railroad Administration has approved a $250,000 grant to study the feasibility of including Kentucky in a national high speed rail network, Lt. Governor and Democratic U.S. Senate Daniel Mongiardo renewed his call --- made 2 months ago ago in a speech in Louisville --- that Kentucky be included in a new national high speed rail network.

“As I advocated two months ago, today’s announcement is the first step towards hopefully including Kentucky in a high speed national rail network that could bring badly needed jobs and economic growth to our state. I applaud today’s announcement because much like the federal interstate highway system, Kentucky can not afford to be left behind in a new national high speed rail network. As a U.S. Senator I will fight to get Kentucky included,” said Mongiardo.

Last month, Attorney General Jack Conway dismissed Mongiardo’s call for including Kentucky in a new high speed rail system saying Mongiardo’s plan was “not rooted in reality.”

With today’s  announcement, Mongiardo’s campaign spokesman Kim Geveden called on Conway to embrace Mongiardo’s call for Kentucky to be included in such a rail network.

“Daniel Mongiardo has shown he has the vision and ideas to create jobs and spur economic growth in Kentucky,” said Geveden. “In contrast, Jack Conway has dismissed the idea of Kentucky being part of a national rail plan that could create jobs and economic growth throughout Kentucky. How many more billions will be invested in developing a new rail network in other states, creating jobs in other communities before Conway acknowledges the economic benefits and jobs that could be associated with making Kentucky part of a new national rail grid?” said Geveden.

“Daniel Mongiardo believes Kentucky’s workers, small businesses and manufacturers cannot afford to be left behind.  If we do not begin working now to get Kentucky included in our nation’s high speed rail plan, the routes will pass-by our communities, along with the jobs and economic growth associated with it. Kentuckians simply cannot afford Jack Conway’s lack of vision about how to create jobs and economic growth,” said Geveden.