[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 76 (Wednesday, May 19, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E886-E887]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               SECTION 45G SHORT LINE RAILROAD TAX CREDIT

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL H. MICHAUD

                                of maine

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, May 19, 2010

  Mr. MICHAUD. Madam Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues in the 
House of Representatives to support the extension of the Section 45G 
Short Line Railroad Tax Credit.
  The Section 45G Short Line Railroad Tax Credit expired on December 
31, 2009 and has yet to be extended. Because this credit has not been 
renewed, the St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad, a 165 mile short line 
railroad in my district, has been unable to move forward on necessary 
infrastructure improvements. The St. Lawrence & Atlantic Railroad 
provides rail freight service through towns like Lewiston-Auburn, 
Mechanic Falls and Bethel in my district. An extension of the Section 
45G tax credit will ensure that they can continue to put Mainers to 
work making the track improvements necessary to serve communities 
throughout Maine.
  Many businesses in my district use the St. Lawrence & Atlantic to 
connect to the national freight rail network. An extension of the 
Section 45G tax credit will help short line railroads make the 
improvements necessary to continue connecting Maine businesses with the 
national rail network, aiding economic development efforts and 
promoting business growth throughout Maine.

[[Page E887]]

  Nationally, the Section 45G tax credit generates 3,305 full-time jobs 
nationwide each year. This does not include the tens of thousands of 
jobs in the American steel and timber industries that produce the raw 
materials necessary to make the track improvements. It is imperative 
that the House and the Senate come to an agreement so that we can get 
railroad employees back to work and make sure that the St. Lawrence and 
Atlantic Railroad continues to operate smoothly.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the extension of the 
Section 45G Short Line Railroad Tax Credit.

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