Assembly passes bill to fund high-speed rail Other Topics, posted by Editor, The Almanac Online, on Jul 6, 2012 at 7:45 am
A proposal to fund California's controversial high-speed-rail system rolled through the state Assembly late Thursday afternoon and now heads to the state Senate for possible approval Friday.
Read the full story here Web Link posted Thursday, July 5, 2012, 5:25 PM
Posted by Bob, a resident of the Menlo Park: Downtown neighborhood, on Jul 6, 2012 at 7:45 am
Still a boondoggle. It will always require substantial subsidies from an already broke state. If Caltrain ridership is marginal, why would this be much different. I don't plan to use it.
Disappointed that Mr. Gordon voted in favor of it given that Palo Alto, Menlo Park and Atherton don't favor it. But I guess he joined his fellow democrats.
Posted by Peter Carpenter, a resident of the Atherton: Lindenwood neighborhood, on Jul 6, 2012 at 8:03 am Peter Carpenter is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online
This project will never be built - the only question is how much will be wasted on consultants and lobbyists before it dies.
Posted by Carol, a resident of the Menlo Park: Downtown neighborhood, on Jul 6, 2012 at 12:43 pm
This is a terrible misuse of taxpayer money. There is a huge difference between the need for local area commute service & long-distance transit to major cities, which is what high-speed is supposed to be about.
The construction crews in the central valley will go mainly to undocumented non-citizens.
I will actively campaign against any legislators who supported this. Very disappointing that Gordon & Hill sold out on this. Eshoo has had her last vote from me.
Posted by Do Some Real Good, a resident of the Menlo Park: other neighborhood, on Jul 6, 2012 at 2:12 pm
We can't pay the bills we already have, let alone this ever-ballooning fiasco. There is only one way to make sure the ridiculous waste stops now. Write, call or email Senator Joe Simitian. And be sure NOT to vote for Rich Gordon and Jerry Hill.
Posted by Ray of Sunshine, a resident of the Atherton: Lloyden Park neighborhood, on Jul 6, 2012 at 3:28 pm Ray of Sunshine is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online
THE TRUTH ABOUT THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
AND REFRESHING TO READ THAT AT LEAST SOMEONE IS SPEAKING OUT ABOUT!
(Thank you, Shannon)!
"Shannon Grove, R-Bakersfield, said the legislators "lied to the voters," who approved a $9.95 billion bond for high-speed rail in 2008. At that time, the project's estimated price tag was less than $40 billion. Today, it stands at about $68 billion.
"You lied, and the voters know it," Grove said. "I hope you'll give the voters an opportunity to re-approve this disastrous project when they were lied to in the beginning."
Now, WHAT CAN WE DO TO FORCE THE LIARS TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION? Everyone who has commented here so far are absolutely right! What can we do to fix this? I would think that the lies and all of the deception would be not only unjust, but punishable!!!!! Again, I will ask the same question.....Has anyone else seen the EMPTY trains? They are this way EACH & EVERY DAY!! All the money in the world WILL NOT increase ridership! Come on people, let's face the truth and be done wit this selfish, greedy & 100% political "wolf in sheeps clothing" boondoggle!
Posted by John, a resident of the Menlo Park: Linfield Oaks neighborhood, on Jul 7, 2012 at 8:08 am
This is just disgusting. I am disappointed but not surprised that Gordon voted in favor. Now, will there be anyone to challenge him? Or, are we too beholden to unions and political hacks in this town?
Posted by Michael G Stogner, a resident of another community, on Jul 7, 2012 at 8:42 am
Sen. Joe Simitian got it right and voted NO.
"One dissenter, Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, said public support had waned for the project, and there were too many questions about financing to complete it.
“Is there additional commitment of federal funds? There is not. Is there additional commitment of private funding? There is not. Is there a dedicated funding source that we can look to in the coming years? There is not,” Simitian said."
Posted by Amen!, a resident of another community, on Jul 7, 2012 at 3:16 pm
Right you are, Belle Palm. California set the standard of going broke, yet still trying to spend money they don't have, and mortgaging our grandchildren's future, and the good old USA followed suit. Time for you and Jerry Hill and Rich Gordon and their colleagues to look in the mirror to find the cause of our doomed economy. You 3 stooges seem to be part of the very few people who still think this is a good idea. Good for Shannon Grove and Jioe Simitian for speaking up. I know where my votes will go, and where they will not.
Posted by Ray of Sunshine, a resident of the Atherton: Lloyden Park neighborhood, on Jul 7, 2012 at 3:29 pm Ray of Sunshine is a member (registered user) of Almanac Online
Posted by Bob, a resident of the Menlo Park: Downtown neighborhood, on Jul 7, 2012 at 4:59 pm
CA will continue to be in a financial mess until we stop voting for fiscally irresponsible people regardless of their party. But I don't see that happening any time soon.
If you were a family spending more than you have coming in, pretty soon the debt collectors are going to be knocking on your door.
Bottom line -- you should NOT spend more than you make; it always leads to trouble. The HSR decision is as much about finance as it is about transportation.
View in an RSS Reader
E-mail this topic.
Print this topic.
