Say ‘No’ to the Maglev Project
The Maglev Would Be The World’s Fastest And Most Advanced Train, But Is It Right For Maryland
By Tim Adams
Tim Adams is an entrepreneur and public servant with more than 30 years of experience in business, government and philanthropy. On November 18, 2019, he was sworn into a four-year term as Mayor of the City of Bowie, Maryland. Adams is the first African American to be elected Mayor in the 138-year history of the city. Adams is campaining to become Maryland's first African American comptroller.
Tim Adams
As many of you know, the State of Maryland continues to spend taxpayer dollars on the Maglev Project, despite opposition from the communities in Prince George’s, Baltimore and Anne Arundel County that will be most affected and disrupted by construction.
Why are the working families in Maryland being asked to pay for a luxury high-speed rail when we have far more pressing, immediate transit needs in every region of our state?
It will be unaffordable to all but a very narrow subsection of wealthy corporate travelers and this investment of taxpayer dollars comes at the expense of far more urgent needs – such as the repair and maintenance of our current rail transit lines, better bus transit that connects people with jobs, expanded MARC service and projects such as the Red Line in Baltimore and light rail to Waldorf.
This is the wrong priority for Maryland, and the next Comptroller will be called upon to cast votes FOR or AGAINST the expenditure of taxpayer dollars for MAGLEV. I promise to support transit projects that enhance our communities and give all people access to the economic opportunities they need - not just a wealthy few.
* Tim Adams is mayor of Bowie, MD. This opinion article is excerpted from the Tim Adams for Maryland Comptroller e-newsletter.
