No Safe Words@Cyber_Trailer
When @ChuckDeVore authored the ‘Against’ language for California’s high speed rail proposition back in 08’…
Was he right?
Or was he dead right?
Here is the exact wording-
PROP SAFE, RELIABLE HIGH-SPEED
1A PASSENGER TRAIN BOND ACT.
★ ARGUMENT AGAINST PROPOSITION 1A ★
NO on Prop. 1A: $20 Billion Cost for Taxpayers
Prop. 1A is a boondoggle that will cost taxpayers at least $20 billion in principal and interest. The whole project could cost $90 billion—the most expensive railroad in history. No one really knows how much this will ultimately cost.
Taxpayers will foot this bill—it’s not “free money.” According to the measure (Article 3, Section 2704.10) “. . . the full faith and credit of the State of California is hereby pledged for the punctual payment of both principal of, and interest on, the bonds . . .” This measure will take $20 billion ($2,000 for an average family of four) out of the general fund over the life of the bonds.
NO on Prop. 1A: California Taxpayers Can’t Afford Higher Budget Deficits
With our budget crisis, billions in red ink, pending cuts to health care, the poor, parks, and schools, now is NOT THE TIME to add another $20 billion in state debt and interest. The state already has over $100 BILLION DOLLARS in voter approved bond debt and our bond rating is already among the worst in the nation.
NO on Prop. 1A—Better Uses for Taxpayer Dollars
California has higher priorities than this $20 BILLION DOLLAR boondoggle.
What would $20 billion buy?
• 22,000 new teachers, firefighters, or law enforcement personnel for 10 years.
• Health care for all children in the state for many years.
• Updating and improving California’s water system to provide a reliable supply of safe, clean water.
• Upgrade and expand existing transportation systems including roads and transit throughout California, which would really reduce traffic and emissions.
NO on Prop. 1A—Virtually No Accountability
Politicians, bureaucrats, and special interests will control the money, not voters. In fact, the lead contractor for this project is Parsons-Brinckerhoff, the same builder of the infamous “Big Dig” in Boston which had billions in cost overruns.
There is not ONE citizen member on the new “peer review group.” They are all politicians and bureaucrats.
NO on Prop. 1A—An Open Taxpayer Checkbook
Section 8(e) says the bond funds are “. . . intended to encourage the federal government and the private sector to make a significant contribution toward the construction . . .”
NOTE THE WORD “ENCOURAGED”—that’s bureaucratic language for “we will spend taxpayer money regardless of whether we ever get a penny from the private sector or the federal government.”
In fact, $58 million in taxpayer money has ALREADY been spent on this project and not ONE FOOT of track has been laid. Now they want us to trust them with BILLIONS more.
NO on Prop. 1A—Promoted by Special Interests for Special Interests
The Association for California High Speed Trains is promoting this boondoggle. Their Board represents out-of-state special interests (France, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, New York City, Texas, and Illinois), many of whom stand to make millions if this measure passes.
Please Join Us in Voting “NO” on Prop. 1A.
Log on, learn more, and read it for yourself: DerailHSR.com.
HON. @tommcclintock , State Senator
HON. GEORGE RUNNER , State Senator
JON COUPAL, President
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
