Way off......

But, since this thread started as a "recap" of a Ken and John "poop" slinging rant about Brown, it should be pointed out that Brown is negotiating out some of the goofier nonsense in SB 350. And, Brown is negotiating with actual Republicans, whose votes he needs, to actually pass a transportation funding package, that may keep our roads from finally falling apart, completely. A California bi-partisan transportation deal hasn't been put together in this state since my old two old pals Richard Katz and George Deukemejian did it back in '89....

Reforming the rail programs, and finding permanent and stable funding sources, for regional intercity and commuter rail programs in CA, with reforms in the project selection and funding processes, should also be a priority of this package. But, TRAC and RailPAC don't seem to be effective in actually advocating serious "policy" through the legislative process, since they marginalize themselves by only being a "soap boxes" for a few personalities, ranting (rightly often, but ineffectively....) about all of the continuing missteps and ineptitude that have become the hallmark of the CASHRA.

I can only imagine what even a one cent gas tax for regional and commuter rail would do, if spent in a cost effective and focused manner on these regional rail passenger systems, where we have shown real demand for fast and frequent rail passenger services, in our most congested urban and interurban corridors....?

We have good plans for doing what would be needed from these regional rail agencies. We have strong public understanding and support from the citizenry, for these kind of rail passenger improvements, in our most congested travel markets. So it's really too bad that TRAC and RailPAC don't seem to able to effectively mobilize that support into real legislation, funding, and policies, that would make that outcome a reality.

Brown's stuck with the current CAHSR mess that he inherited from Kopp and Ahnold, and which has benefitted a certain California Senator's political and contracting interests, so he appears to be un-willing to fight that battle. It does not mean that Brown would be closed to more funding and improvements in our most heavily used rail passenger systems. When I worked with Jim Evans and UTU, in the 70's and 80's, Brown was weak on rail (long on talk/short on effective action/policy), now there is a chance to work with him and seek redemption for that.

After all, a sound transportation program for the next twenty years, could be an important part of Brown's legacy. It runs in the family, for as we all know in California, for the most part, we are all still driving on Pat Brown's freeways, and we're all drinking Pat Brown's water...... And, his water package, to deal with not just with this drought, but also the next, forged an effective set of bi-partisan compromises, investments, and controls on things like over-pumping our ground water, that will serve our grand children well.....