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Proposition 1A: High-speed rail bonds
Rie Nakanishi
Issue date: 10/30/08 Section: Voter's Guide
Proposition 1A proposes the issuing of a $9.95-billion bond to partially fund the establishment of a high-speed rail network that connects Northern and Southern California at speeds of 200 mph or faster. If approved, $9 billion would be used for planning and construction of the system, and the remaining $950 million for improvement of other rail systems such as BART.
Greg Larsen, spokesperson for Yes on Proposition 1A:
"By creating a clean transportation through high-speed train, Proposition 1A will help ease (congestion in California roadways and airports) and create hundreds of thousands of jobs that California's struggling economy needs."
Morris Brown, vice president and founder of DERAIL 501(c) California Public Interest Group:
"Included in AB-3034 (passed by the legislature this summer and created Prop 1A) was a demand that the California High Speed Rail Authority prepares a business plan that was to be available by Sept. 1. This was mandated and written into law. The plan has not been delivered. The Authority is right now in violation of state law. Why would anyone want to put billions of dollars into the hands of a group that won't obey state law?"
Greg Larsen, spokesperson for Yes on Proposition 1A:
"By creating a clean transportation through high-speed train, Proposition 1A will help ease (congestion in California roadways and airports) and create hundreds of thousands of jobs that California's struggling economy needs."
Morris Brown, vice president and founder of DERAIL 501(c) California Public Interest Group:
"Included in AB-3034 (passed by the legislature this summer and created Prop 1A) was a demand that the California High Speed Rail Authority prepares a business plan that was to be available by Sept. 1. This was mandated and written into law. The plan has not been delivered. The Authority is right now in violation of state law. Why would anyone want to put billions of dollars into the hands of a group that won't obey state law?"
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Richard Campbell
posted 10/31/08 @ 8:27 AM PST
I was just in Europe and took high speed rail everywhere. It is a great way of getting around. No more being crammed in planes like cattle or suffering through congestion with angry drivers. (Continued…)
Rich
posted 11/02/08 @ 4:24 PM PST
I was very disappointed when I read in the Spartan Daily that the editorial board was urging a No vote on Proposition 1A. The time will never be "right" to spend $10 billion, and if we don't pass this bond measure and start the process now, the price tag will inevitably go higher. (Continued…)
Tom West
posted 11/03/08 @ 3:55 AM PST
Morris Brown fails to state two important facts:
* The state budget (which included funding to prepare the buisness case) was passed only five days before the Sept 1st deadling he mentions. (Continued…)
Greg
posted 11/03/08 @ 5:17 PM PST
The $10 billion bond is only a down payment. The actual cost of the high speed rail is estimated at $50 billion and probably higher. I'm voting NO on 1A to stop wasteful government spending and to encourage private companies to build high speed trains. (Continued…)
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