Posted on 10/23/2008 11:31:16 AM PDT by americanophile
Investing in California’s transportation infrastructure is something all Californians agree is an important and lofty goal. But Proposition 1A does little for California commuters who suffer among the worst rush hour commutes in the country. This bureaucratic boondoggle will cost taxpayers dearly; an upfront price tag of $20 billion will just be the start. And once approved, there will be no realistic way for taxpayers to extricate themselves from this ill-conceived and poorly designed plan. So what is the real cost of Proposition 1A to taxpayers?
Senator Alan Lowenthal, Chairman of the Senate Housing and Transportation Committee, asked the California High Speed Rail Authority “What assurances can the Authority provide that California taxpayers will not be stuck with a massive bill in the future?” All indications point to nothing. And increasingly, evidence suggests that California taxpayers will pay a much heftier bill than what is represented by Proposition 1A’s initial $20 billion price tag.
The Authority itself has been re-estimating the cost of Phase I’s San Francisco to Los Angeles route from $30 billion in 1999 to $40 billion in 2005, and this year they revised the cost estimate to $45 billion. It is anyone’s guess what those estimates will look like in 2010 or when construction actually begins. Proposition 1A funds were supposed to cover a third of those costs but now they will only cover about 20%. And the rest of the money is supposed to come from the Federal Government and outside investors.
(Excerpt) Read more at capitolweekly.net ...
Spend spend spend.
The ads I’ve been hearing for it talk about jobs only - in constructing and running it. Sounds like the only benefit is a source of governemnt jobs at the expense (huge!) of taxpayers.
Frequently, a business or organization that faces tough economic times will hasten the fall by spending a large amount of money on non-productive construction projects. History is filled with examples of businesses that could have weathered the storm if they had faced facts early and conserved their assets to support their core business, but have instead left behind brand-new buildings that they never had a chance to occupy. The recent construction of the New York Times Building is a classic case.
It may be that we are seeing the State of California doing the same thing with this High Speed Rail boondoggle.
But those are government employed, union jobs. You know, “good” jobs. the kind the private sector produces are chaotic, unpredictable, and uncontrollable. </sarcasm>
I would ping willie green, but there is no longer a FReeper by that name...
And require people showing up on time and doing what they were hired to do. BAD jobs, no doubt!
The state is already in the red. It makes no sense to spend so much money right now. (Ever actually, if it won’t pay for itself in a few years. The Metro in LA hasn’t helped congestion down there - Californians love to drive.)
France has high-speed rail, therefore California must have it too. That is about the level of analysis you are working with, here. Never mind that what makes sense for France might not make sense for the vast areas of the United States, and that high speed rail doesn't even really make sense in France!
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Willie is gone. I am the Free Republic pro-rail whipping boy now.
Note: My position is that the government should build passenger rail infrastructure (the tracks, etc.) and let private industry own and operate the trains.
LOL. I like yours better. ;-)
You’re a Texan. California doesn’t need you telling us we need to build an unnecessary “high speed” rail system for $20 billion.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
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