It's hard to tell whether this is good or bad news. The $1.4 million
keeps the CHSRA office open but functioning at an "idle" level. At
this moment, the $9.9 billion bond issue is still slated for the '08
ballot.
I still anticipate a major PR lobbying effort later this year and
certainly next year unless a clear and final decision is made to shut
it down. Stay tuned.

Sent Tuesday, May 15, 2007, by Governor Schwarzenegger's office

Thank you for writing to Governor Schwarzenegger to share your
thoughts and concerns about high-speed rail [sic]. The Governor
appreciates hearing from people who care about the important issues
facing our great state.

In November 2006, California voters approved one of the largest
bond packages in the state's history. This money represents a
considerable down payment on repairing and building our
infrastructure and boosting the public services necessary to preserve
our quality of life. And, with the tremendous population growth
expected for California over the next two decades, the Governor has
put forward an even broader proposal that will include funding for
flood control, schools, courts and the correctional system.

Because of the critical need for funding these other forms of vital
infrastructure, California has a limited ability to borrow money for
a full high-speed rail bond measure right now. Governor
Schwarzenegger's comprehensive Strategic Growth Plan, and its varying
bond components, cannot happen simultaneously with the high-speed
rail bond without putting the state into a position of spending
General Fund dollars at too-high levels. This approach instead
protects California's credit rating and support for other important
state programs.

But the Governor's proposed budget does recognize that high-speed
rail is a viable transit option worth exploring for the future, and
so it includes $1.2 million for staff support of the High-Speed Rail
Authority. He is also willing to consider other potential payment
options for such a rail system, including private financing.

Again, thank you for taking the time to write and share your thoughts
with Governor Schwarzenegger. He welcomes any comments that can help
improve the future of California.

Sincerely,

Office of Constituent Affairs
governor@...
===========================

In another article by Steve Lawrence, Associated Press, this one from
Monday the 14th, he says the following. It (somewhat) contradicts
the language from the Governor's office. Confused? Me, too:

The Republican governor on Monday proposed a $5.2 million 2007-08
budget for the California High-Speed Rail Authority , up from about
$1.2 million he offered in January. Most of that additional money
-- $3.5 million -- would come from the Orange County Transportation
Authority , not the state treasury.

The authority would get the Orange County funding only if the
state also committed at least that much money for engineering and
environmental work on a high-speed rail line between Anaheim and
Los Angeles.

-- 
**********************
Martin Engel
1621 Stone Pine Lane
Menlo Park, CA 94025
650:323-1670
martinengel@earthlink.net
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