Halt California funds for high-speed rail: budget watchdog

Reuters ^ | April 18, 2012 | By Jim Christie

[Oldeconomybuyer]

(Reuters) - California lawmakers should not approve Governor Jerry Brown's budget proposals to provide additional funds for the state's pricey planned high-speed rail system, the state's budget watchdog agency said in a report on Tuesday.

The report by the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office said the California High-Speed Rail Authority has "not made a strong enough case for going forward with the project at this time."

Funding beyond proceeds from state debt and $3.5 billion from the federal government to build the statewide high-speed system is "highly uncertain," the report said.

Mary Nichols, chairman of California's Air Resources Board, said a building a high-speed rail network would help the state meet its aggressive goals for reduce greenhouse emissions.

"Not only does it take millions of tons of greenhouse gases out of the air, it is also goes to the heart of the law itself, transforming California's economy to clean energy and clean technology and breaking our century-long dependence on fossil fuels," Nichols said.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Mary Nicols should be in prison or a mental institution.

[muawiyah]

You can say that again.

[DUMBGRUNT]

"Mary Nichols, chairman of California's Air Resources Board, said a building a high-speed rail network would help the state meet its aggressive goals for reduce greenhouse emissions.

California's Air Resources Board should be merged with the California High-Speed Rail Authority because their goals are in fact the same.

A stadium cage match of the two bureaus, winner take all.

[blueunicorn6]

It’s not about building a railroad.....it’s about funneling money to Democrats.