A look at history reveals the downward path which Caltrain is now headed since its involvement with the California high-speed rail. (HSR). The passing of the high-speed rail act bond issue (Proposition 1A) in November 2008 had the full support of Caltrain, perhaps with good reason. Looking back, HSR would be allowed use of Caltrain’s […]

As we approach State budget approval time, it is appropriate to review the lack of funding for the HSR project.  The March 27th hearing in Senator Mark DeSaulnier’s committee, produced much information.  The committee produced a summary report of the hearing which can in full be viewed at here: From this report we read: ————————— […]

With a major announcement last Monday, Senate pro Tem Senator Darrell Steinberg announced a new major spending initiative with the funding to come from expected Cap and Trade revenues. Steinberg’s proposal can be viewed here. The plan encompasses a wide range of projects, from transportation, to new streets, funding for below market rate housing, funding […]

Last Thursday, the Plaintiff’s in the Tos et. al vs. the High Speed Rail Authority filed their reply brief to the Attorney General’s brief in this highly watched case.  (Sacramento Superior Court  #34-2011-00113919). The Court hearing on these issues is set for Nov 8, and the Judge will rule within 90 days thereafter. Judge Kenny […]

First exposed by the LA Times, the recent revelation, that the rules for awarding the first construction bid contract for the California High Speed Rail project were changed in the middle of the process, needs a full blown investigation. The Authority CEO, Jeff Morales seems to be immersed in a world of his own imagination. […]

Last week the LA Times disclosed the Authority had changed the construction bidding rules for the first segment of the High Speed Rail project. See here. The rules, by which a winning bidding group would be chosen, were established by a full vote of the Authority Board at the March 1, 2012 Board meeting.

On July 6, 2012, the Legislature passed with a bare majority of one vote, the initial construction appropriation bill for the High Speed Rail project. With Senator Darrell Steinberg and Senator Mark Leno assuming leadership, the bill was rushed through both legislative houses.  This appropriation bill was first presented to the legislature on the afternoon […]

Governor Brown in his State of the State address saved advocating for High Speed Rail until the very end.  Trying to impress, he made sure that everyone knew he had authored the original legislation over 30 years ago. One really should examine that history and learn the result of that legislation. With these facts in […]

A resident of Menlo Park and founder of DERAIL, the original grassroots effort against the California High-Speed Rail project. Last Friday (10/26/2012), on KQED-TV, the bay area public television station, aired a 30 minute segment discussing Propositions 30 and 38.  Normally from this news segment, one would expect, at least the pretense that this would […]