Yes, at least for the bond measures to fund it.

California has a proposition system where schemers write legislation that requires to much skin in the game for the legislature and put it on the ballet. These props are often written in ways that are confusing.

I have witnessed props that basically oppose each other pass. Clearly voters don't know what they are doing in these cases.

The origins of the high speed rail project started with Jerry Brown(D). Then Arnold Schwarzenegger(R) pushed a bond to fund it. Brown returned as governor and pushed it forward again. As Newsom came into office it became clear the project was in huge trouble massively going over budget and behind schedule. Newsom pulled back support for the project in an effort to distance himself from Brown's baby.

Today Newsom is touting the project as a success as they have the permits and are ready to lay some track.

At best they will build a line from Bakersfield to Fresno...

I love the Central Valley but this is a joke. The amount of money thrown at this is absurd. One of the biggest issues is that the government has so many barriers to building that even when the government wants to build something their restrictions make it difficult even for them.

Secondly there isn't demand that equals the cost. If there was a private company or group of companies would be seeking to build this. This is simply something that sounded good to Jerry Brown and since it isn't his money he could push the idea. The public is not qualified to make these kinds of judgements and was duped into supporting it. Support for it has decreased in my area. Its a running joke here even though our area would be the first to have service.

They started in this area because its the easiest to build. I can't even imagine how they would built it in LA after watching how it has progressed in the rural Central Valley.

I think trains are great. Just don't think the state should be in this business and we are watching a case study as to why they shouldn't be.