California Prop 1A

I am going to dedicate some time to writing about the various propositions that have to deal with the environment. I will take one at a time, list the pros and the cons and make a recommendation. This is MY recommendation, it is my opinion, I don’t need chatter about how I am wrong.

Let’s begin:

Proposition 1A: Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century

Prop. 1A asks voters to approve the issuance of $9.95 billion of general obligation bonds. This would partially fund a $40 billion, 800-mile high speed train under the supervision of the California High-Speed Rail Authority. The train would run between San Francisco and Los Angeles, with Anaheim, California, designated as the southern terminus of the initial segment of the high-speed train system. Estimates are that the train system would be completed in 2030, and that it would take passengers between San Francisco and Los Angeles in about 2 hours and 40 minutes.

$950 million of the bond proceeds would be available for capital projects on other passenger rail lines to provide connectivity to the high-speed train system and for capacity enhancements and safety improvements to those lines.

Argument FOR:
– It will reduce the reliance on foreign oil for California
– It is a “balanced transportation improvement package offering statewide benefits.”[15]
– The high speed train network proposed in the initiative will reduce highway traffic congestion without raising taxes.
– It will save commuters time and money.
– It will expand transportation options.
– It will remove 12 billion pounds of CO(2) emissions

Argument AGAINST:
– There is no guarantee the project will ever be completed.
– It is a political boondoggle and a waste of money.
– If politicians can’t fix the budget crisis, healthcare or the schools, why think they can build this project competently?
– Proposition 1 is a creature of special interests who are notorious for their cost overruns and stand to “make billions off this scam”.
– Existing transit systems should be expanded instead of starting from scratch

My recommendation: YES

California has in influx of people on a daily basis and there will come a time when we cannot all be on the road. We need to have a reliable method of transportation to get us places within the state, not just within the city. It reduces our dependency on oil… good. It reduces out CO2 emissions… good. It saves commuters time and money…. good. It creates jobs, boosts the economy and fights global warming. Is this not what we have been demanding from the possible president elect?

In the sake of being fair:
HERE is the link to the Vote Yes website
HERE is the link to the Vote No website