Time Running Out on Chicago to Omaha Passenger Rail?: Iowa City Daily News Links, Dec. 31

Last links of 2012. Stay safe out there everyone!

On to the Links

Supporters of a passenger rail line from Chicago to Omaha (likely through Iowa City) are trying to up the pressure by saying time is running out on potential federal funding. (Quad City Times)

Some great photos by Press-Citizen photogs this year. Well done, gents.

And here's the top news from the Daily Iowan for this past semester.

An Iowa City group is working to gather signatures for a petition that would ban the use of traffic cameras and drones in the city. (KCRG)

Iowa City Police may follow the lead of the University of Iowa PD and start mounting cameras on their officers. (Des Moines Register)

Mitt Romney's Iowa strategist says the GOP has a lot to learn from the last election. (Des Moines Register)

Opponents and proponents of the Johnson County Justice Center met recently and not surprisingly still don't see eye to eye. (Associated Press)

Adam Sullivan of the Press-Citizen has a nice story about Iowa's birthday celebration and a very old piano.

Mitchell Schmidt of the Press-Citizen has a feature on the new workout experience offered by TITLE Boxing Club.

Daily Links Excerpt of the Day:

Several Democratic leaders say millions of dollars in federal funding approved more than two years ago for a passenger rail line between Iowa City and Chicago, including the Quad-Cities, remains untapped because the Iowa Legislature won’t agree on matching funds.

“The clock is ticking, and this year is it,” Rep. Dave Jacoby, D-Coralville, said Friday.

Passenger rail advocates say other states have begun eyeing the money. Federal transportation officials committed $230 million in late 2010, with the condition that the Iowa and Illinois state governments would help pay for the project. In this case, Iowa officials would need to put up a $20 million match.

“There’s not a hard and fast deadline, but we do know other states are drawing on those federal funds, so it’s on us to access those funds and be responsible with the grant money,” said Nancy Quellhorst, president of the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Daily Links Featured Directory Listing of the Day: Elite Nails