The Bush administration once again proposes to cut Amtrak services, including those in New Mexico.

Bush in past years tried to cut funding for Amtrak in New Mexico and elsewhere, but Congress restored the funds when voting on the federal budget.

U.S. Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., on Monday expressed his disappointment with the proposed cuts, saying, "Amtrak provides many New Mexico communities with a valuable transportation service. The termination of service would be a great loss to those communities that depend on its service."

Bush's 2009 budget proposal would cut Amtrak funding from $1.325 billion in 2008 to $800 million in 2009.

Amtrak has two lines running through New Mexico. The Southwest Chief serves Raton, Las Vegas, N.M., Lamy, Albuquerque and Gallup, while the Sunset Limited serves Deming and Lordsburg.

Bingaman was also critical of Bush's budget cuts in funding for highway projects. New Mexico share would drop from an estimated $315 million in 2008 to around $308 million for 2009.

Bush's budget does increase transit funds for New Mexico, which is distributed among the state's communities for transportation needs. Santa Fe would receive a direct grant of $1.9 million.

Bingaman also was disappointed that the Bush budget would eliminate the Essential Air Service program, which would affect subsidies for air service to Albuquerque from Alamogordo, Carlsbad, Clovis, Hobbs and Silver City.

Over the next several months, the House of Representatives and the Senate will proceed with the actual work of writing the federal budget.