The high-speed rail is truly a train to nowhere. It goes from Madera to Bakersfield with little chance of getting any further, leaving the Central Valley torn up and $6 billion wasted.
I'd like to hear your Point of View. Send me an email atPOV@fox11.com
So how did it all happen?
The rail authority, in effect, was in a hurry to break ground in order to meet a federal deadline so they could get their hands on $3.3 billion of stimulus money. I guess the Central Valley seemed like an easy target. Then it all became a slippery slope, because once they secured the federal money under Proposition 1A—the High-Speed Rail Act—they could then authorize $2.7 billion from California taxpayers.
Okay. So let's do some math. We still need over $60 billion more to finish the project. That's the low-cost estimate. And our research shows, there's no money coming in from the feds or private industry. Without more money, it can't be completed and then it's just a big wasteful project with taxpayers getting nothing but the bill.
So what's this really all about? Well, some are calling it a big make-work project for Governor Brown's union contributors. Clearly, it's become a boondoggle at a time when Governor Brown has the nerve to ask for more money from the taxpayers in the form of Proposition 30, which increases taxes on the wealthy and sales tax on everyone in the state.
So Governor Brown: tell us the truth and admit this is a big make-work scheme, a money grab, and stop this project until you can come up with a better plan.
What do you think? We want to hear from you on this P.O.V. segment. Share your thoughts in the comments section below or email me directly at POV@fox11.com
Kevin Hale, Vice President and General Manager KTTV-TV, FOX 11 News
The views expressed are not necessarily those of the station or its employees.
Friday, May 17 2013 2:28 PM EDT2013-05-17 18:28:28 GMT
When is a bullet train… not a bullet train? KTTV Vice President and General Manager Kevin Hale shows you why even major High Speed Rail supporters.. are now changing their minds… in this P-O-V.
When is a bullet train… not a bullet train? KTTV Vice President and General Manager Kevin Hale shows you why even major High Speed Rail supporters.. are now changing their minds… in this P-O-V.
California's High-Speed Rail Authority is still selling their so-called bullet train, by saying they're going to get from Madera to Fresno to Bakersfield. There's a problem though.
California's High-Speed Rail Authority is still selling their so-called bullet train, by saying they're going to get from Madera to Fresno to Bakersfield. There's a problem though.
It's the biggest public works project in California history. KTTV Vice President and General Manager Kevin Hale looks at how the success or failure of High Speed Rail could be Governor Brown's legacy, in this POV.
It's the biggest public works project in California history. KTTV Vice President and General Manager Kevin Hale looks at how the success or failure of High Speed Rail could be Governor Brown's legacy, in this POV.
Thursday, November 29 2012 11:11 AM EST2012-11-29 16:11:50 GMT
It's the biggest public works project in California history. KTTV Vice President and General Manager Kevin Hale looks at how the success or failure of High Speed Rail could be Governor Brown's legacy, in this POV.
It's the biggest public works project in California history. KTTV Vice President and General Manager Kevin Hale looks at how the success or failure of High Speed Rail could be Governor Brown's legacy, in this POV.
It's the biggest public works project in California history. KTTV Vice President and General Manager Kevin Hale looks at how the success or failure of High Speed Rail… could be Governor Brown's legacy, in this POV.
It's the biggest public works project in California history. KTTV Vice President and General Manager Kevin Hale looks at how the success or failure of High Speed Rail… could be Governor Brown's legacy, in this POV.
Tuesday, October 30 2012 5:25 PM EDT2012-10-30 21:25:47 GMT
California's High-Speed Rail project has $6 billion in funding – but it needs at least $54 billion more. KTTV Vice President and General Manager Kevin Hale looks at the project's growing money woes in this POV.
California's High-Speed Rail project has $6 billion in funding – but it needs at least $54 billion more. KTTV Vice President and General Manager Kevin Hale looks at the project's growing money woes in this POV.
Is California's High Speed Rail Project living up to the proposal voters approved? KTTV Vice President and General Manager Kevin Hale takes a closer look, in this POV.
Is California's High Speed Rail Project living up to the proposal voters approved? KTTV Vice President and General Manager Kevin Hale takes a closer look, in this POV.
Friday, August 24 2012 2:08 PM EDT2012-08-24 18:08:15 GMT
In recent days, Governor Brown gave voters a good reason not to support his tax hike this November. KTTV Vice President and General Manager Kevin Hale follows up in this POV story.
In recent days, Governor Brown gave voters a good reason not to support his tax hike this November...he just keeps spending money he doesn't have!! In effect, he's asking voters to tax themselves for his poor fiscal management. KTTV Vice President and General Manager Kevin Hale follows up in this POV story.
Friday, August 24 2012 1:28 PM EDT2012-08-24 17:28:39 GMT
Parents who've tried to enable California's Parent Trigger law to save their children's schools have faced stiff opposition. Kevin Hale follows up on one school district's major victory.
Parents who've tried to enable California's Parent Trigger law to save their children's schools have faced stiff opposition. KTTV Vice President and General Manager Kevin Hale follows up on one school district's major victory this POV story.
Tuesday, August 7 2012 6:01 PM EDT2012-08-07 22:01:16 GMT
Governor Brown's job privatization proposal is receiving both praise and heavy skepticism. KTTV-TV Vice President and General Manager Kevin Hale looks at the governor's new plan in this P.O.V. segment.
Governor Brown's job privatization proposal is receiving both praise and heavy skepticism. KTTV-TV Vice President and General Manager Kevin Hale looks at the governor's new plan in this P.O.V. segment.
Kevin Hale, VP/General Manager
