Critics of California's proposed bullet train say a new vote should be taken on the project, which was approved by voters three years ago when the price tag was $45 billion. Now, the latest estimates put the amount at nearly double that.
From Ashley McGlone in the U-T: "Given the higher price tag, and shorter route in the financing plan, some local elected officials want the matter to return to voters."
“I would suggest with the new numbers that the complete facts now in the business plan be presented to voters again to let them see all of the numbers and the costs,” said Assemblyman Martin Garrick, R-Solana Beach. “Voters should be aware of the obligation they will be taking on, the cost they will be burdening their children with. I think it should go back to a vote of the people.
“I am in the second largest city, and yet I am going to be paying for something that will not even reach or bring any help to San Diegans.”
"The 800-mile line was presented to voters in 2008 to connect the Bay Area to San Diego. The ballot language contained no price tag, but estimates given by the California High-Speed Rail Authority during the campaign ranged from $33 billion to $45 billion."
And more on the train: The Legislative Analyst says the project doesn't comply with key provisions of the ballet measure approved by voters and could wind up wasting some $6 billion that otherwise could go to education, local services and other transportation projects.
From the LAT's Dan Weikel: "Before bond financing can be requested, analysts said, project officials must complete an environmental review and identify a corridor, a usable segment, all sources of committed funds and a schedule for the receipt of financing."
"Our review finds that the funding plan only identifies committed funding for the initial construction segment, which is not a usable segment, and therefore does not meet the requirements of Proposition 1A," their report said."
"In addition, analysts said, the California High-Speed Rail Authority has not obtained all environmental approvals for any usable segment and probably would not receive the necessary clearances before the start of construction."
"High-speed rail officials discussed the report Tuesday with the analyst's office. They contend that the funding plan complies with the 2008 ballot measure and other statutory requirements."
Hospital officials in rural counties believe thousands of elderly and disabled patients are going tol be left without medical care because of budget cuts, the latest in a series of harsh fiscal impacts that the strapped state is facing.
From the Bee's Darrell Smith: "The cuts are intended to save the budget-strapped state up to $623 million. Reimbursement rates will be trimmed as much as 10 percent, but earlier cuts blocked by legal action could also take effect, making the effective reductions 20 percent or more."
"This is a difficult decision," said Norman Williams, a state Department of Health Care Services spokesman. "California is facing a tremendous shortfall. There is pain."
Medi-Cal is the name for the state's federal Medicaid program. It serves more than 7 million low-income Californians – approximately 20 percent of residents – and costs the state more than $41 billion a year, about 13 percent of the budget."
"A variety of groups are seeking to stop the cuts through the courts, and a crucial U.S. Supreme Court decision looms, with national implications for federal health programs."
Local politics isn't all boring, late-night meetings of the city council, planning commission or school board. It's also love, sweet love. The city of San Fernando is a case in point, where the mayor stood up at a council meeting and announced he had been having an affair with a colleague -- and his audience included his wife, who was sitting in the first row. Diana Martinez of the San Fernando Sun tells the tale.
"With his wife, Anna, sitting in the front row, Mayor Mario Hernandez, for whatever reason, decided Monday night was the night to formally announce that he lost his business, and filed personal and corporate bankruptcy. "And secondly," Mayor Hernandez said, "I'd like to put out there, 'to squash the rumors,' that yes, I have been in a relationship with Councilwoman (Maribel) De La Torre."
"Someone should lend the Mayor a dictionary because you don't "squash" a rumor by confirming that it is true. More importantly, the De La Torre/Hernandez tryst has implications beyond the bedroom."
"Their pillow talk has led to arrogant control noted by two other council members and city staff. Without informing or conferring with fellow council members, they have been meeting and directing city officials and dictating policy. The pair was behind the ill-conceived return of Chief Anthony "Tony" Ruelas, who insiders have said is now carrying their water. They are also the driving force in the attempt to bring in a new fire department. One can only speculate what they thought could be gained by these moves."
