Free Republic

A strong majority of voters is against the bullet train project just as Gov. Brown is pressuring the Legislature to green-light the start of construction, a USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll finds. Across the state, 55% of the voters want the bond issue that was approved in 2008 placed back on the ballot, and 59% say they now would vote against it. Since voters approved that $9-billion borrowing plan, the state and national economic outlook has dimmed and some of the promises about the bullet train have been compromised. 55% of the respondents said the state has bigger priorities than...

Industrial production unexpectedly fell in May, reflecting weakness in manufacturing, as the economy flashed more signals of a spring slowdown. The Federal Reserve reported Thursday that output at the nation's factories, mines and utilities dropped by 0.1 percent last month following an increase of 0.8 percent in April. The weakness last month reflected a slowdown of autos and auto parts as the U.S. auto industry continued to struggle with soaring gasoline prices that have sapped demand for sport utility vehicles. Production of autos and auto parts fell by 1.3 percent last month following a smaller 0.2 percent drop in April....