California high-speed-rail battle will now be fought 'outside legislative chambers' Around Town, posted by Editor, The Almanac Online, on Jul 20, 2012 at 1:10 am
California's contentious drive to build a high-speed-rail system between San Francisco and Los Angeles sped ahead July 6, when state lawmakers approved funding for the first construction phase. But the $68 billion project still has to pass through a gauntlet of legal, financial and political obstacles before it becomes reality.
Read the full story here Web Link posted Thursday, July 19, 2012, 9:14 AM
Posted by Michael G. Stogner, a resident of another community, on Jul 20, 2012 at 8:13 am
Kind of important.
But the bill also states that the $1.1 billion can be transferred to other items, including construction in the Central Valley (known in the bill as Item 2665-306-6043), with approval from the state Department of Finance.
"It looks like accounting minutiae, but if you translate it, it means that with one signature from a governor appointee, the money for Caltrain can be moved to the Central Valley project," Ms. Alexis said.
Posted by john burrows, a resident of another community, on Jul 20, 2012 at 11:59 am
So the vote was 21-20. How did that happen? I wonder if Martin Engel, Morris Brown, Mr. Brady, and Stuart Flashman could have quietly entered the Senate chamber and voted "no" when no one was looking.
My impression was that the vote was 21-16 with 4 Democrats voting against and 3 Republicans wimping out and not voting at all.
Posted by Morris Brown, a resident of the Menlo Park: Park Forest neighborhood, on Jul 20, 2012 at 1:20 pm
@ Michael G. Stogner
The language in the bill was a bit confusing; it was clarified in the Leno hearing, upon being questioned by Senator Alquest
Bottom line, is, the money as appropriated in the Trailer bill, cannot be moved to the Central Valley. Satisfy yourself by viewing this 4 minutes of that meeting.
@ john burrows. The vote was 21 to 16. Indeed 3 republicans did not vote. Four Democrat Senators voted no -- Simitian, Lowenthal, DeSaulnier and Pavley.
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