Posted on 01/24/2018 7:03:12 PM PST by Mark
January 24, 2018 at 2:26 pm
Editor’s note: Breaking views are thoughts from individual members of the editorial board on today’s headlines.
California’s bullet train project has basically been one long, embarrassing and wasteful disaster ever since it got started. Alas, it persists.
The latest update on the first phase of the project, the 119-mile Central Valley section considered the easiest to build, came out a week ago, when the rail authority had to revise its 2016 cost estimate of $7.8 billion in favor of the more realistic though perhaps still optimistic $10.6 billion. It was originally expected to cost around $6 billion.
The revelations of such significant cost increases gave added momentum to a proposal by Assemblyman Jim Patterson, R-Fresno, to audit the project, which is also seven years behind schedule and still widely regarded as a poor use of finite resources.
An audit is long overdue. The last state audits of the bullet train were released in 2010 and 2012. Both raised a number of concerns about oversight, planning and funding. The years since have only reinforced the need for further scrutiny.
Subsequent requests for an audit have been rejected, including a 2016 request by Sen. Andy Vidak, R-Hanford, and an emergency audit request by Patterson late last year.
Simple accountability is unfortunately something that must be fought for in California these days. But now, Patterson has received critical support from Sen. Jim Beall, D-San Jose, chairman of the Senate transportation committee. In a joint letter to Assemblyman Al Muratsuchi, D-Torrance, chairman of the Joint Legislative Audit Committee, Beall and Patterson call for an audit of the mega-project, outlining the precise aims of the audit and the important role the Legislature should play in the process.
“As a vital partner in the delivery of the high-peed rail system, it is incumbent upon us as a legislative body to provide strong oversight and guidance to ensure that the project is on an effective path towards successful completion,” they write.
The audit committee, which is set to consider the proposal on Jan. 30, would be doing a terrible disservice to Californians if they don’t allow the State Auditor to take another look at the project. They should readily authorize the audit.
Perhaps one day we’ll even be able to have more conversations about cutting our losses, cancelling the boondoggle and focusing on the actual infrastructure needs of the state.
Sal Rodriguez is an editorial writer and columnist for the Southern California News Group. He may be reached at salrodriguez@scng.com
OH,my!
More like a bb-gun train.
So, we can’t say, “All aboard!”?
Like Boston’s “Big Dig”....many checks to the Mob.
Of course they just look like change orders to the basic contract.
Union Dues for laundering prior to sending the money to the DNC.
“As a vital partner in the delivery of the high-peed rail system
= = =
Severe Prostate problems, however, have slowed the project to a drip.
An audit never uncovers the truth, just unexpected "overruns" in costs. Both senators Dianne Feinstein and Nancy Pelosi have husbands who greatly profit in many millions of dollars from projects such as these. But no, audits seem to conveniently overlook details like that.
Successful completion... of a high-peed sewer pipe?
Daily News still going out daily. It is a little more right leaning, but they still publish some articles from Ass Press.
The purpose of the Democrat Party is to elect thieves to public office so that they have access to the public treasuries in order to loot them.
The Rat Nashville mayor has unveiled what was supposed to be a $6 billion public transportation project released just a few months ago has already ballooned to over $9 billion. If it ever got started, it would go to over $18 billion.
They are using the “Big Dig” as a blueprint, I see.
Interesting. Thanks for the reply.
Long ago this fiasco violated the terms of the proposition that started it. It needs to be shut down yesterday
The original cost estimate was 34 billion for the whole project that was supposed to be finished by 2020. Anyone with a brain knew it would run over 100 billion in the end, if it ever got done, and lose money every year thereafter. And liberals claim to be the smart people.
That’s a Big Dig Bingo for you Larry!
All aboard the fail train...Toot Toot!
Amazing. Democrats support such boondoggles but virulently oppose projects that more than pay for themselves, such as the border wall and the Alaska pipeline.
$2000/inch.
“...and still widely regarded as a poor use of finite resources.”
Senator Blowhard (D) replied “I’m fed up with the lies those opposed to this project are spreading. A simple raise in taxes can account for these necessary overages.”
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