Research Briefing

$54 Million In Federal Stimulus Dollars Going To Relocate Privately-Owned Napa Valley Wine Train

(ABC’s “Good Morning America,” 2/2/10)

$54 Million Dollar Stimulus Being Spent On “Railroad Track Used Solely By A Privately-Owned ‘Wine Train.’” “California has been hit hard during the recession, so there's no question why federal stimulus dollars are being spent there. Yet one project -- $54 million for renovations of railroad track used solely by a privately-owned ‘wine train’ -- has some in Congress questioning how they're being spent.” (Jonathan Karl, Michael Callahan & Kristina Wong, “Public Stimulus Funds Spent on Private Wine Train,” ABC News, 2/2/10)

“Last Time The Tracks Were Used For Anything Other Than The Wine Train Was In The 1970s.” “But while the train owners aren't getting any money directly, the tracks, the station and the rail bridge are all used solely by the wine train. Barry Martin, a spokesman for the project, said the last time the tracks were used for anything other than the Wine Train was in the 1970s.” (Jonathan Karl, Michael Callahan & Kristina Wong, “Public Stimulus Funds Spent on Private Wine Train,” ABC News, 2/2/10)

Cited As One Of Most Questionable Stimulus Projects. “The project was cited in a report by Coburn and fellow Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona as one of the 100 most questionable stimulus projects.” (Jonathan Karl, Michael Callahan & Kristina Wong, “Public Stimulus Funds Spent on Private Wine Train,” ABC News, 2/2/10)