Today Senator Mark DeSaulnier (D-Concord), chair of the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee commented on Wednesday’s report by the State Auditor titled, “High‑Speed Rail Authority Follow‑Up Although the Authority Addressed Some of Our Prior Concerns, Its Funding Situation Has Become Increasingly Risky and the Authority’s Weak Oversight Persists.”
“The report highlights a number of issues that the Legislature needs to review and that the High Speed Rail Authority needs to resolve,” said DeSaulnier. “I support the development of high speed rail in California. However, we need a business plan that lays out a practical and reliable financing structure and we need a management approach that garners public support and trust. I look forward to working on these issues with the new leadership at the Authority in the months ahead.”
The report is available online at the Bureau of State Audits WEBSITE.
{ 47 comments }
THIS HIGH SPEED RAIL PROJECT IS A LOSER.
KILL IT NOW.
Practical and reliable? You mean like the State budget???
Hahahahahahahahahahaha.
This politician is just another looser like Danny Navato Kool Keen who deserts during the storm.
And there we have it folks, Marky boy supports the High Speed Rail Scam.
Do you have the money Marky?
Who will pay for your pie-in-the-sky boondoggle?
Who has bought you off with promises of future wealth Marky Boy?
You’re just one more criminal politician with your hand out. You make me sick.
Another loosing tax payer project which will be under funded. Help me people I need more money as I can not control the spending, your all suckers so give me more. This is like giving the homeless can goods but we forgot to provide the can opener and pot to cook it in.
“…a management approach that garners public support and trust.”
In California, projects ALWAYS are over budget. There is a vast difference, in what is good for the citizens of this state and traditional way state government (works) is run.
From the open letter of Jerry Brown “We actually cut state expenses by over $10 billion.”, additionally he said they “… cut unnecessary expenses like cell phones and state cars.” If they could do all that in less than a year, there has to be more savings. Is time to put the sacred cows on the block to balance the budget.
High speed rail or keeping up with our Pacific neighbors Japan and China can wait, until a balanced budget is achieved. (Yes I realize HSR is a pay back for campaign contributions and large blocks of votes.) Then Quit the low ball lying about the cost an come up with a realistic and HONEST plan for a change.
No high speel rail – how about making I-5 nice 8 lane super highway.
So long as these guys support the “Bull-let” train, I will NOT support any new taxes. 100 billion dollars, no financing, this is BS!!! It will cost every tax payer at least two childs’ worth of education for every Californian.
I don’t like it bypassing the East Bay.
I don’t like it being way over budget from what the voters were told and they want to start it out in the middle of nowhere; where there are no riders and it will be of no use for years if the project is stoped the tracks will be useless.
Y’ know, I voted against it, but when it passed, I was like, “oh well, the voters have spoken”, and resigned to the fact that it was going to happen. Really sad for my great state that it has turned into another bond driven boondoggle that will put us even further in the red.
BTW, the reason I voted against is because I do not believe that the biggest transportation problem in our state is that it takes to long to drive from SF to LA. The biggest transportation problem in our state is that it takes to long to get from Concord to Oakland, from Martinez to Dublin, from SF to San Jose, Hayward to San Mateo, etc. And the equivalent in the South Land. Until we have a viable alternative to cars, our metro areas will always be underperforming economically.
I like what “Tired of being lied to” had to say . no more 100 billion dollar project
until we have a balanced budget. we don’t need another Bay Bridge project make with steel from China and taken year to finish. What a joke.Thanks to Wille Brown and his friends.
Mark will do as he is instructed by Gov. Brown. Makes about as much sense as Gingrichs colony on the moon. Desaulnier is another big spender as long as it’s our money.Just once I would like him to show some leadership.
I truly am in favor of a high speed rail project if:
1. We had the money for it – strike one
2. I could trust it would not most funnel money into the hands of people that did not really earn it – strike two.
3. I could trust it was planned safely, smartly and fairly – strike three.
And there are more strikes than that.
It is too bad, America used to be able to do things like this. But, we cannot even afford basic services in many areas much less extravagant things like this.
Hey Mark,
Here is my input…We cannot afford a project that is going to cost at least 100 billion dollars. It’s going to probably be closer to 200 or more. The government NEVER gets a project cost right and it is always over budget. Look at the wonderful piece off junk the “New” Bay Bridge from China. Supposed to cost us a couple of billion and where is it now?? Way over budget.
Give up on it now while we are still ahead. There is little support and it will not be cost effective.
This is a turkey, get a real handle on true costs and get back to me…….you cant trust politicians to tell the truth…….follow the money and you will find who benefits the most………………
Any politician who doesn’t try to kill this multi-BILLION dollar money-pit boondoggle YESTERDAY, is a crooked scheister trying to spread the public treasury to peddle influence. Vote them ALL out and start over. Otherwise, all is lost.
“America used to be able to do things like this…”
You can thank the liberal lawyers, politicians (lawyer flunkies), nut job environmentalist, unions, foreigners, liberal press, etc. American pride went to crap a long time ago. It is now all about money for nothing and entitlement.
…Truly is pathetic when other Countries can build and produce infrastructure cheaper and faster.
Add more lanes to I-5 and remove the speed limit “No Restrictions.”
This high speed train project will cost us more then we can afford by s lot.It would be nice to have legislators who know when to say no.
Wow – even the faithful liberals on Claycord are in agreement with conservatives who say we can’t afford this boondoggle.
Mark DeSaulnier needs to strap on a backbone and stand up to Brown and the big union bosses that are sponsoring this financial disaster.
California is broke. This will only make things much worse.
Bullet train to nowhere.
Can’t wait to see to come into the 21st century with high-speed rail. Californians will welcome the jobs the project will bring to the state.
Gee, out of all these comments only one MORON, #21. To paraphrase Mrs. Thatcher….”what will he do when he runs out of other peoples money ?” OH, and thanks for your input dEsAULNIER.
This project is stupid.We are in the hole big time In this state and our Senator Desaulnier wants to spend lots more. Get real. Just because he is ordered to support this by the Governor doesn’t mean he can’t represent us little folks too. I’m out of money and so is the state.
Some of you people would have said the same about BART in the 60′s and look where we would be now. Get a grip and let’s build it now.
@ #17 (or he who who does not want to identify himself)
There it is again..It’s all the liberals and democrats fault. Such a tired and incredibly ignorant arguement. It’s pretty simple if you open your eyes. While I agree that entitlements are too inefficient and expensive, one of the main problems is that the conservatives have eliminated so much tax revenue, that we don’t have the $$ for it. When we have the Mitt Romney’s of the world making 20 million + a year and paying less than 14%, where is the $$ going to come from? When a great deal of the infrastructure was built in this country we had a comfortable middle class that was able to pay taxes and still afford a nice lifestyle. We also had a wealthy class paying multiple times more in taxes than they do now (up to 90%!! – yes, that is extreme). You can thank Ronald Reagan and his minions for destroying a system where people happily pitched in for the good of their country. The “liberals” did not support spending trillions on wars we should not have fought. The “liberals” did not support deregulating the banking industry which led to a modern day depression. The “liberals” did not support the obvious failed concept of trickle down economics.
What is funny is that there are so many posters on this site that are so far right, I stand out as a bleeding heart liberal when I am actually a centrist. But that same majority of posters here that are so close minded and ignorant to anything other than their Limbaugh-esque opinions, they don’t see it. For instance, while I do not think Obama is the “worst president in history”, I still do not plan on voting for him – my vote will go third party. The problem is not the democrats OR the republicans. The problem is Washington. It is corrupt and broken. And until Americans can stop pointing their fingers at each other and come together and change that, it will remain that way.
Shuley, Don’t instruct us on ethics. You are the guy that tells people to demand money to move out of their houses that they can’t pay for. That is immoral.
Has no one yet realized that this IS the progressives “plan” for hope and change?
Bankrupt the country until everyone is dependent on big government to save them.
And half the voters in this country are blind to what’s really going on. One side wants financial conservatism and is screwing us, the other side wants to spend it’s way into socialism. Both sides are wrong.
We need to go back to grass roots – what my parents taught me. If you can’t afford it, DON’T SPEND IT. Big government should be accountable to US, not the other way around.
And I agree on Shuley. Ethics isn’t his/her strong point.
And let’s talk about Romeny – his income was 42 mill, which leaves approx 5.88 milliion paid in taxes (at 14%).
He pays more in taxes than I’ll ever MAKE. And that’s somehow unjust?
Why don’t we make the bottom half of earners pay their fair share as well? Oh that’s right, those who are entitled the most are the ones voting those “hope and changers” in!
All,
1. Historically, all projects (state/federal) have come in WAY over budget.
2. The HSR business plan cobbled together so far does not approach reality in ANY fashion.
3. I don’t expect ANY politician to be able to provide ANY common-sense input into a business plan. Just because you ran a restuarant for some years doesn’t mean that can translate to a multi-billion-dollar public infrastructure project.
4. He states “we need a management approach that garners public support and trust….” . I don’t believe there’s ANYONE affiliated with the HSR project (politician or not) who can take this on.
5. While Romney paid a lower tax rate on his income (don’t know why this post was here), remember that this was on capital gains, not ordinary income. So if you’re gonna whine, at least compare apples to apples. Are you jealous because someone is successful – and took advantage of the tax laws passed by YOUR legislators to become wealthy? Sounds like that responsiblity ought to come back on the voters who keep re-electing the morons.
Jeff – you’re absolutely right…. and we need to kick ALL of the entrenched politicians out of office come November. FLUSH THE TOILET!
Here are a few of the conditions that would need to be put on the project in order for me to support it:
- All parts of the system, from the rivets in the rail to the software that controls it must be designed and manufactured in the USA, preferably California. Raw materials, whenever possible, must be domestic.
- All contractors, subcontractors, and direct employees must be verified as having a legal right to work in the US.
- In the planning phase, if it’s determined that the skills required to build, maintain, or operate any part of the system are not available in California, the Cal State or community college system will be funded to create the education system needed. NO H1B VISAS ALLOWED.
If these conditions were met, I would support it regardless of the cost but I can’t bring myself to support another massive construction project that is being used to fund China’s manufacturing infrastructure.
@ anonymous #26
It’s not immoral. It’s the law. When property ownership changes hands due to foreclosure, the tenancy changes too. The former owners essentially become renters. If the new owners want them out, they have to follow the law and evict them. If they want them out immediatley, they can pay them to leave. It’s called “cash for keys” and it’s legal and commonplace. These banks have already been compensated with taxpayer dollars for the losses they took on making loans they never should have made. They chose to offer no doc loans to subprime borrowers. They reviewed and accepted erroneus appraisals (or none at all). They knowingly took huge risks for short gains, but they should not be penalized too?
But Shuley, you VOTED for those people who bailed them out, remember?
@ Jeff
How do you know who I voted for? I usually do not vote for Dems or Reps. I think they are all bought by corporations. You are aware that Bush signed TARP and I most certainly didn’t vote for him…did you?
Will High Speed rail be faster than a plane? No.
Will High Speed rail be cheaper than a plane? Not likely.
Then why are we even discussing this?
@Shuley at 12:25….
No, we don’t “know” who you voted for. But your comments certainly point in a direction that would lead one to a pretty good assumption. Furthermore, you state that you “do not ‘usually’ for Dems or Reps”…. but that doesn’t tell me anything.
Shuley, you’ve made comments before about how you voted.
And yes, I did vote for Bush – doesn’t mean I agreed with everything he did, but he was better than the other options.
Besides, what you hear from me is that BOTH sides are a problem – just like entitled people who don’t take the time to understand what they are voting FOR.
Bad News for Republicans @ 320 – You buried the lede! 4th qtr growth came as a result of a decrease in Federal expenditures of 7.3% and State & local govt reductions of 2.6% – could it be more clear that smaller government = economic growth?
This high speed rail is like a bad movie.the state is on the edge of bankruptcy and Desaulnier wants to spend more on something we don’t need.Lots more.Hang on to your wallets,common sense is leaving this state.
It is unfortunate that Mark can’t seem to take a stand on much of anything. He will hem and haw his way through this one just like he does on pretty much every other issue. Yet he can seemingly do this over and over while voters seemingly take no notice of or perhaps simply approve of wishy washy leadership. In any event, this project is, by every independent examination going to cost hundreds of millions if not billions more than we were ever told it would. What projects/programs is the Gov. and Mark and all those who are choosing to support this willing to sacrifice for a high speed train to nowhere? Or are they just going to keep coming back to the “we need more money to save our schools” smoke screen to enable other funds to be siphoned off for their failures? Like others who have posted here I will never support a tax increase until and unless our leaders decide to get real.
@Mongoose,
Does your mommy know you’re playing with her iPad?
@ Mongoose,
Do you want to ride with me on our new bullet train? You’d definitely enjoy it!
Jeff – I do not make comments on anyone I specifically have voted for. That’s completely untrue. I am glad you pointed out though that you actually did vote for the guy that begged congress to pass and happily signed TARP. But Bush was better than any of the other options? Seriously? Kerry was a dunce..agreed. But you obviously didn’t do you homework in 2004 because there were better options for both liberals and conservatives running as third party candidates.
Fred P. gives us an example. He ASSUMES that I probably vote Obama, George Miller, Pelosi, etc etc.. He assumes that because I am one of the few regular posters here that does not think any liberal is the devil, all of the occupy protestors are unemployed dirty hippies and that Democrats are ruining this country. I use an informed and objective approach. Believe it or not, out of all of the candidates, I probably like Paul the most, although I don’t care too much for his social conservativism or the fact that he tends to be a racist (that probably goes over well here!) If I HAD to pick a Dem or GOP in the upcoming prsedential election, I would likely vote for Obama over Gingritch or Romney (since it will be one of them, likely Romney). But that’s not saying much because the Republican candidates are so completely horrible this year. But, this year, I’ll likely go with an INdependant candidate again. Clinton was the last time I voted for a Dem.
Could someone please compare and contrast “legal” and “moral” for me? Cheating on your spouse is legal but (in my book anyway) immoral. I guess demanding money to vacate a home that is foreclosed is legal, especially after the bank held you at gunpoint and forced you to sign a mortgage you couldn’t afford.
I was a supporter of high speed rail with it’s initial price. But the realist in me knew this would never happen in Cali. I was just surprised the price escalated as quickly as it did.
Now I think we widen I-5 and Highway 99, remove the speed limits and get ready for Darwinism to kick in.
“I don’t expect ANY politician to be able to provide ANY common-sense input into a business plan. ”
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups
You nailed it.Shuley has decided that the banks made bad loans so it’s moral to hold them up and demand reparations to move out. What crap There is something called honor. Shuley doesn’t understand this concept.From a practical standpoint if there is a court filing for eviction you may have a problem renting,something Shuley forgets to tell you.
Good comments….
Let’s hope the voters ALL grow a backbone and stand up to these incompetent politicians. Kick ‘em ALL out of the office. I’ve been voting independent for years – and I’ll continue to do so.
Vote for the best person – who has action to back up their otherwise empty promises.
A vote for the entrenched incumbents means you’re willing to accept the problems we’ve been having – no matter who caused it… and are just toeing the party line. And that means you’re just part of the problem.
KICK – THEM – ALL – OUT!
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