Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is once again killing high-speed rail with kindness. He says he wants the system built, and he's changed his mind about pulling a November bond measure for that purpose from the ballot. That's good news, we said in an editorial today.
But he's also insisting that guarantees of federal and private sector investment be in place before the state sells any bonds -- should voters approve them -- to begin building the 700-mile system. That gets it backwards. State rail officials and others have said there's interest in the private sector for a stake in the high-speed system. That's no surprise. Unlike the perennially underfunded and poorly subsidized Amtrak system, high speed is expected to be a moneymaker, with projections of between $2.6 billion and $3.9 billion in annual revenue by 2030.
Fresno Rep. Jim Costa, long a staunch rail advocate, is seeking federal help from Congress.
But the one guarantee that's needed is from California itself. That's what everyone else is waiting for. Expecting the feds and the private sector to take the first step is a guarantee of failure. And that's too painful to contemplate.
Fewer cars on the highway= cleaner air=fewer people in hospital rooms=lower premium costs for health insurance=with border population explosion, less environmental impact to the State (including our forests)=convenient traveling for everyone. I know, it makes too much sense to have high speed rail that California should have had years ago. Gov. Schwarzenegger continues to flip-flop on issues. Who is the Governor listening to....it is no secret that since he's been in office, he listens to the DEMOCRATS and is not a true REPUBLICAN. Is it okay for the Governor to change our nation's world of politics? Citizens do not want a socialistic nation.
The Governor's position on high speed rail is one reason the public is anti-political. We do not need another one of our politicans saying one thing and doing another. I have been an involved and voting citizen for many decades, but am growing closer to withdrawing all support and all interest in politics due to people like our prestigious Governor. California needs high speed rail and he knows it. Where did all the visionaries go? What is is problem? Where is his vision?