text: The rail project needs to be (fiscally) rescued, not killed. American designed Maglev 2000 technology can be used to convert the steel wheels on steel rails system to urban maglev. This can be done while easily keeping project costs within the available funding of $6.8 billion (from federal funds and GET collections through 2027). The legislators and council members are aware of the maglev cost estimate folio even as they approve short-term measures that do not address the project’s long-term fiscal problems. They know what can be done but lack the political “backbone” to address conversion with federal officials. An extension of the surcharge just to complete the 20-mile system will be “throwing good money after bad” and is nothing more than an easy way out for our elected officials, including the mayor and the governor. Leadership is desperately needed but is conspicuously lacking.