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MO House votes to cut Amtrak funding

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By AP/KWMU

Jefferson City, MO – The Missouri House Wednesday voted to cut most of the state's Amtrak funding.

Lawmakers took away more than $six million from the passenger rail service through a series of changes to the state's $20 billion budget.

With the cut, the House instead directed the money to public-school busing, veterans' videos, a Jefferson City university and a health clinic in southwestern Missouri.

Brian Weiler, with the Missouri Department of Transportation, says that if the cuts are approved by the Senate, it would eliminate Amtrak service after July first.

The Senate in past years has reversed House cuts to Amtrak.

Supporters of the cuts say the rail line is inefficient and that tax dollars could be used better.

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