Chamber members were told that they essentially have two congressmen for the next two years. There's plenty of work to go around. With the jet simulator, Purdue hopes to expand its pilot-training program. The chamber also hopes the enhanced training will lure another airline to replace United Express, which stopped serving the airport last month. Continued funding for the Hoosier Heartland Corridor, which will run from Lafayette to Delphi and Logansport.
Local officials hope to get federal help to build highway overpasses.
Bonding authority for high-speed rail. The chamber wants to see a Chicago-based, Midwest regional rail system that would include a Chicago to Cincinnati route with a stop in Lafayette. In his first budget request to Congress, President Bush said he would reduce spending by opposing funding for specific projects traditionally added by lawmakers. Chamber President E. Dana Smith said the message he received from the state's lawmakers and lobbyists was that Congress would still add specific funding, although it may be more difficult. But as always, Smith said, the community stands the best chance of getting what it wants if it's organized and united.