The Longview paper is known for progressive and intelligent editorials. I note that the regional proposals under consideration entirely omit Arkansas. The editorial is most favorable and you should read the whole thing.
The efforts of two East Texas lawmakers to realistically explore high speed rail for this area deserve to be applauded.
State Rep. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, has filed a bill to study the feasibility of rapid rail passenger service in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. Meanwhile, state Rep. Tommy Merritt, R-Longview, has introduced a bill to create a high speed rail authority for both the Texas-Louisiana and the Texas-Mexico border regions. Merritt’s bill would provide funding for the effort toward high-speed rail.
Filed under: Amtrak, Passenger Rail Politics, Passenger Rail Transportatio Policy, Regional USA Passenger Rail
Trains For America 
Commendable indeed, especially coming from an area one would not put down as rife with HSR boosterism.