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Re: Dan Walters: Brown has a way out of HSR mess
Author: BOB2
Date: 08-08-2011 - 00:01
Bob R.
Ideologues don't need things like facts, or experience, to form an opinion of anything, they know everything already. What some people seem to think they know about bond markets and debt obligations doesn't seem to show a lot of advanced course work? Sometimes Bob, people just like to join in a herd mentality, as it requires far less thinking, and allows for much more bleating.
I actually know of several of the staff that Brown has assigned to this. I think I can point to these folks as one of the reasons for a number of recent departures by some of the more stellar "visionary" types at the CHSRA.
The degree to which the Federal program is modified or redirected will certainly affect State reforms now on the table. There are numerous real rail passenger, track and signal upgrades, and grade separtation projects that can be funded now, and qualify for these funds. I suspect any real reform deal will make the kind of changes that moves funds to these "real" shovel ready projects. That certainly is one likely scenario, as opposed to much of the "kill Thomas" bleating popular in this thread. And, that would be a far better basis for any successful HSIPP program that goes forward.
Brown wants the jobs, he knows the current CHSRA is an organizational and political basket case unable even to respond, he should know that the local and regional HSIPP projects can be built faster, and could do more for developing rail passenger markets in our congested corridors, now. If he moves even part of the way in that direction, that wouldn't be all that bad.
Brown had the balls to tell Caltrans they weren't going to build the $6 billion Beverly Hills Freeway, and about 20 others that we couldn't afford, back in the 70"s. I think Brown will reign in the HSR, and refocus it on getting more out improving on our currrent networks. I think that's the real basis for the HOV lane analogy? --Get more out of what we have--
Ideologues don't need things like facts, or experience, to form an opinion of anything, they know everything already. What some people seem to think they know about bond markets and debt obligations doesn't seem to show a lot of advanced course work? Sometimes Bob, people just like to join in a herd mentality, as it requires far less thinking, and allows for much more bleating.
I actually know of several of the staff that Brown has assigned to this. I think I can point to these folks as one of the reasons for a number of recent departures by some of the more stellar "visionary" types at the CHSRA.
The degree to which the Federal program is modified or redirected will certainly affect State reforms now on the table. There are numerous real rail passenger, track and signal upgrades, and grade separtation projects that can be funded now, and qualify for these funds. I suspect any real reform deal will make the kind of changes that moves funds to these "real" shovel ready projects. That certainly is one likely scenario, as opposed to much of the "kill Thomas" bleating popular in this thread. And, that would be a far better basis for any successful HSIPP program that goes forward.
Brown wants the jobs, he knows the current CHSRA is an organizational and political basket case unable even to respond, he should know that the local and regional HSIPP projects can be built faster, and could do more for developing rail passenger markets in our congested corridors, now. If he moves even part of the way in that direction, that wouldn't be all that bad.
Brown had the balls to tell Caltrans they weren't going to build the $6 billion Beverly Hills Freeway, and about 20 others that we couldn't afford, back in the 70"s. I think Brown will reign in the HSR, and refocus it on getting more out improving on our currrent networks. I think that's the real basis for the HOV lane analogy? --Get more out of what we have--
