I COMMEND the Globe for the Dec. 20 editorial “Narrow rules are no excuse to withhold rail money.’’ Losing out on infrastructure investment would be a major loss for New England, and our representatives must do all they can to bring jobs and prosperity to the region.
The Northeast has been in decline for a generation, and is on track to loses several seats in Congress after the 2010 Census. It’s worse than a loss of representation, however. Reapportionment is a zero-sum game, and for every voice we lose in Congress, states like Texas get another one. While Massachusetts may lose a Michael Capuano or a Barney Frank, Texas could gain four Joe Bartons or four Tom DeLays. This is unacceptable.
It is absolutely essential, therefore, that New England develop its transportation infrastructure to spur further integration with the mid-Atlantic states, as well as Canada’s maritime provinces. Currently, goods arriving in Canada’s eastern seaports travel along a very inefficient route, circumventing northern Maine and proceeding to America’s Midwest via the Quebec City Windsor Corridor.
If the United States invested in a modern rail network, then much of this commerce would move through New England.
MATT RICHARD
Boston 
