Can We Kill This Choo-Choo Project Already?

Under the heading of "What You Should Be Reading," Cal Watchdog.com certainly comes to mind.  They have great coverage of key California state issues from what appears to be a conservative perspective, but that might be the result of all the bad governance by the lefties that run this state.  Chris Reed is a frequent contributor and covers California politics with a sharp eye.  He has come to the conclusion that California's "Top Dems" want the high speed rail project killed because they aren't applying their usual thugishness in propelling it forward.  Calling it the "Dog That Didn't Bark," he cites two main facts.  First, the handling of the initiative intended to shut down the train:

The Secretary of State’s Office released the official title and summary for a proposed anti-bullet train ballot measure prepared by the AG’s office, and it seems downright reasonable and fair.

Second, he cites inept lawyering by the California AG in answering the question of how Jerry Brown is going to kill the train without appearing to be doing so on purpose.

How are they going to pull this off? Through intentionally inept lawyering.
. . .
For five months after Judge Kenny’s ruling, the Brown administration didn’t question its legal reasoning one bit. Now the administration accuses the judge of ‘erecting obstacles found nowhere in the voter-approved bond act’ of 2008 that provided $9.95 billion in bond seed money for the project. Huh? How can the governor and attorney general make this argument now when they didn’t before? 

Well, maybe.  The problem with this theory is that it makes Jerry Brown out to be some Frank Underwood super-pol.  (I just started watching Season 1 of House of Cards, and yes, I am hooked.) David  Burge has other ideas about U.S. pols in general.

Most laughable thing about House of Cards: politicians portrayed as Machiavellian super-geniuses. Real DC pols are 92-IQ shameless thugs.
— David Burge (@iowahawkblog) February 20, 2014

But we Californians are due a break.  I know, we keep electing leftist thugs.  But could we at least kill this train before it destroys businesses and farmland in the Central Valley.  God has punished them enough with this drought.

What You Should Be Reading

• Holman Jenkins explains why, even if you believe in man-made global warming, getting the government involved is a huge mistake. Bottom line, there is no government action which will solve this problem faster than the free market.
• KTCat views the vetoed AZ religious liberty law through a lens crafted in Riyadh. 
• Fellow SLOBs give their perspectives on Bitcoin, theoretical and practical.  Meanwhile some idiot at Thinkprogress does no thinking in writing that Bitcoin is about (drum roll please) white male privilege.  Ms. Strasser is thoroughly schooled in the comments. Women and minorities for whom she condescendingly thought to speak point out that they are capable of making economic decisions for themselves.
• Dalrock dissects the realities of declining SMV for divorcées. 
• Kimberly Strassel reveals the latest ongoing Obama IRS assault on conservatives and Tea Partyers.

What You Should Be Reading

Dalrock on Feminism. I stumbled across a blog I really like, linked at right, Dalrock.  He blogs from a Christian male perspective and takes on even the modern church when needed.  I find his perspective refreshing.  I love the title of a recent post, Feminist are ugly.  (Although he could have titled it, Why feminists are ugly.) Essentially, feminists deny that women should show love through service to their families.  This withholding of love hurts the women it is supposed to help and turns them ugly.

The real reason feminists are ugly has nothing to do with their physical appearance. [But I notice that they are often physically ugly as well.]  Feminists are ugly because they are miserly with love.
. . .
Cooking is an act of love, an act of service to others.  It is an opportunity to care for others in a very fundamental way, to literally nourish them through the work of your own hands.  This is precisely what troubles the modern woman so much about cooking (or cleaning, or changing diapers).  Serving others in the mind of a feminist is an indignity, so cooking, cleaning, or any other act of service and love is the object of revulsion.

Spanish feminists urge banning of book urging wives to be submissive.

Author of said book, 'Cásate y sé sumisa, Constanza Miriano.

Dean on High Speed Choo-Choos. It seems that no court ruling, no amount of illegality can stop the spending when you are a beloved leftist program.

Oh, California high-speed choo-choos, we just can’t quit you as we are hopelessly addicted to wasteful and completely counterproductive public works projects. You keep this up and you just might supplant 2009’s $780 billion American Recovery Act aka Porkulus as #1 in our hearts.
The level of corruption, deception, mendacity and willful suspension of disbelief contained herein makes this probably a done deal.

The Popping of the College Bubble.  One of the least reported, but most important trends is that college is a bad deal for most students.  The college bubble has been far worse than the housing bubble.  The latest from the WSJ:

A college degree's declining value is even more pronounced for younger Americans. According to data collected by the College Board, for those in the 25-34 age range the differential between college graduate and high school graduate earnings fell 11% for men, to $18,303 from $20,623. The decline for women was an extraordinary 19.7%, to $14,868 from $18,525.
Meanwhile, the cost of college has increased 16.5% in 2012 dollars since 2006, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics' higher education tuition-fee index.
. . .
We now have more college graduates working in retail than soldiers in the U.S. Army, and more janitors with bachelor's degrees than chemists.

What You Should Not Be Reading.

• Anything involving Dennis Rodman.
• Robert Gates' memoirs, because if he was so butt-hurt about Obama's mismanagement, he should have quit a lot sooner.

What You Should Be Reading

I took a real vacation and paid only a little attention to the political world and made no attempt to blog.  It was worthwhile to re-unite with my oldest son and enjoy some of God's creation and some good man-made stuff too.  Mrs. Daddy and I loved the colder and wetter weather we encountered, not typical of Arizona.

We visited historic Jerome, AZ, where everything is reputed to be haunted, even the hamburger joint.

And we hit the trails to enjoy the local beauty of Sedona, AZ.  

And didn't neglect man-made pleasures either. Famous Pizza had great pizza and craft beer on tap including quite a few San Diego offerings.

In the meantime other San Diegans kept up the good work on keeping tabs on our state and local government.  

• Dean posted his latest entry in the long running saga of the California high speed rail debacle.  Was Judge Kenney's ruling that funding must halt and that the High-Speed Rail Authority had abused its discretion a death blow?  Read and judge for yourself.  The U-T has the full story.
• Felipe Monroig, president of the San Diego County Taxpayers Association, has done a public service by pointing out that the so-called linkage fee revenue isn't spent on affordable housing for the working poor, as the council debate would lead you to believe.  The Voice of San Diego's in depth analysis of the issue is also a public service.  Bottom line, most of the money goes to the homeless, not affordable housing for the working poor.
• The U-T reports that San Diego home prices increases are slowing. This is good news.  All of the conditions that caused the housing bubble and subsequent collapse in 2008 are still present.  Artificially high housing prices are not healthy for the economy.
• College Insurrection reports on how the ACA is affecting students at SDSU, bottom line: unintended consequences not making health care more affordable.

Environmental Compliance for Thee, But Not For Me - California's High Speed Choo Choo

If a business project fails to follow environmental regulations and it loses a court case, the project comes to a halt.  When the loser is the State of California, this rule applies not so much.  Superior court judge Michael P. Kenney has ruled that the state has violated the law implementing high speed rail, Proposition 1A, by failing to file required environmental reports.  The response from the state and the high speed rail commission? 

"Today's ruling is that the legislative appropriation for high-speed rail … remains valid, and our work on the project continues," said Dan Richard, the agency's chairman. "We take our commitment to Proposition 1A seriously and continue to work towards developing a high-speed rail project that benefits all Californians."

And where are the environmentalists protesting this abuse of power by the state in ignoring environmental law?  Queue the crickets, of course.  To be fair, in 2012, the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council put out press releases criticizing watering down California environmental law in this case, but they have been mute on the latest ruling.

In this case, the judge has delayed ruling on what remedy might be imposed on the state.  He is understandably reluctant to invalidate an appropriation of the state legislature.  Unfortunately, judges do not always seem so reluctant when the legislative purpose has a conservative goal.  Further, the state appears to be taking the legal course that state environmental law doesn't apply to the project.  Judge Kenney will hold another hearing to determine the remedy required.  

Bottom line, the leftists in power continue to flaunt any law they don't want to apply to themselves.  The ACA is only the most notable example.

What You Should Be Reading.

• Washington Examiner editor Mark Tapscott points out 15 stories that flew under the radar.  My vote for most significant is the link between population decline and a local income tax in America's big cities.
• Liberal Democrats did not always reflexively support ever higher marginal tax rates.

High Speed Choo-Choo to be De-Railed?

The U-T is reporting that the California High Speed rail project could come crashing down in court tomorrow.

A Sacramento County Superior Court judge is scheduled to hear arguments in a lawsuit that claims the project doesn’t comply with a statewide ballot measure approving $9.9 billion in bonds for the systems.

. . . Former Sen. Quentin Kopp, involved in planning high-speed rail since 1992, states in an expert declaration in the case that the so-called “blended” system forcing the bullet train and standard rail to share tracks from San Francisco to San Jose is not genuine high-speed rail.

Even if the lawsuit fails, it is clear that the voters were sold a pack of lies.  Dean has been covering the history.

There is no doubt that even if the state loses the lawsuit, that won't prevent them from moving forward.  It is a hallmark of this era that mere judicial rulings do not deter the government from proceeding with its intended aims.

Researching the text of the law, I came across this little gem:

"the planned passenger train service to be provided by the authority, or pursuant to its authority, will not require operating subsidy." This must be certified prior to expending funds.  I don't know if it is part of the lawsuit, but I wouldn't want to be the state official who had to sign that document.

We will see what happens tomorrow.

What You Should Be Reading

Dawn Wildman exposes the intellectual bankruptcy of the so-called Common Core curriculum.

Naked D.C has a hilarious take on the Scandalabra engulfing the administration and a picture of Eric Holder in a sparkly speedo. Truly must read to put it all together.

A Plescia Campaign Volunteer Stopped by my House

This evening, Justin, a student at Point Loma Nazarene, stopped by my house, to talk to me about George Plescia's campaign for the state senate.  My eldest son answered the door, but immediately called for me to take the visit; since Justin was asking about putting up a yard sign.  I liked that the first thing he did was ask me what my concerns about California state government were.  I responded that the budget was a mess and that out of control state employee pensions were a big factor.  Justin vouched the Plescia felt the same way; that his candidate was in favor of a Proposition B type reform for state pensions as part of the solution.  He also said that if Plescia isn't elected the Democrats will have such a large majority that they will be able to pass any spending they want.  (I didn't think to disagree, he's right, except for the inevitable math problem when they run out of other people's money.)  He also pointed out that Plescia has created jobs in the private sector, much like Mitt Romney.

He also said that Plescia will work to get the "high speed rail to nowhere" put back to the voters for another vote, since it doesn't at all reflect what we voted on previously.  In Justin's opinion, echoing that of his candidate, it is ludicrous to think that a rail line from Los Angeles to the Central Valley will pay for itself and fund an extension to San Francisco.  I wasn't even aware that such an argument was being made.  (A review of the official plan reveals that only two "useable segment" are currently authorized, see below.)

We also talked a little about Bilbray; Justin didn't think he made conservatives happy, but felt that in this district, he was the best we could hope for in a Republican.  I wasn't so sure, but told him I am fully supporting Bilbray this cycle, but would be looking for a conservative to challenge him in the 2014 primary.  Justin mention the recent U-T poll that has Bilbray up 9 points.  I voiced my concern that it seems like a lot of the undecideds are Democrats who might break for Peters.  Justin offered that many of the Democrats who are undecided are environmentalists who were unhappy with the way he beat Saldana, and over something else that I didn't catch.  I hope so, Peters and anyone else involved with the San Diego pension fiascos should never win another election.

Justin said that he leads the San Diego students for Romney organization in addition to his work for George Plescia.  Justin was very impressive and knowledgeable, it was great for have him stop by.  And I signed up for a yard sign, to go with my Carl DeMaio sign.  You can sign up for one here.


"Useable segments" for high speed rail from State Law, California Resolution #HSRA11-22.

• The portion of the Phase 1 corridor (described in Streets and Highways Code 2704.04, subdivision (b)(2)) between and including a San Jose station and a Bakersfield station; and
• The portion of the Phase 1 corridor between and including a Merced station and a San Fernando Valley station.

Some Good News Today

And I am not talking about Ted Cruz' victory in the Texas Senate primary. Even though I am happy to hear of Mr. Cruz' victory and his conservative bona fides.

In Georgia, a one cent sales tax for "transportation infrastructure" went down to defeat.

Metro Atlanta voters have rejected a penny sales tax referendum that would have helped pay for billions in transportation projects over the next decade, according to unofficial returns
. . .
The referendum was a draw for many voters in Tuesday's primary election. The issue was on the primary ballot in 12 districts around the state, where it also largely went down to defeat. The Atlanta region stood the most to gain.
. . .
Tea party members, the state NAACP and the Sierra Club comprised an unlikely coalition that opposed the referendum, relying on e-mail and social media to urge voters to defeat the measure.

Now if we could only get the Sierra Club to oppose the high speed choo choo project here in California. Normal environmental impact requirements are of course going to be waived for a rail line that won't even use electricity as its power source. Not a peep from the state Sierra Club.

Georgia is very different from California, but I don't think there is anywhere in the country where a broad based sales tax increase could pass right now.

And in more Crappy Choo Choo News

The California Senate passed an $8 billion dollar approval to start the ill fated high speed choo choo project by a bare 21-19 majority, with four Democrats dissenting from the party line. Pretty apt description from the Sacramento Bee article:

Among Republicans in opposition was Sen. Tony Strickland, who criticized a willingness by the Legislature to reduce spending elsewhere while finding money for high-speed rail.

"I think this is a colossal fiscal train wreck for California," he said.

The bill was introduced with little notice following the 4th of July holiday and passed on Friday to avoid the news cycle, I believe. The $8 billion is intended to fund the first 130 miles of track from the bustling urban centers of Madera to Bakersfield. From the LATimes:

The project had become increasingly controversial as Democratic senators from around San Francisco and Los Angeles asked why construction was was set to start with a 130-mile stretch in the Central Valley.

"The ridership is not in the Central Valley," said Sen. Leland Yee (D- San Francisco), speaking Thursday night. "The ridership is along the 101 corridor," referring to the U.S. highway stretching from the Bay Area to Los Angeles.

What's the over/under on the number of miles that actually get built for $8 billion? My guess is 22 miles. How did I arrive at this figure? I took the cost per mile and multiplied by three because its a government project. Then I remembered that I am a natural born optimist, so I multiplied that result by two.

High Speed Choo-Choo Update - End of the Line?

This is normally Dean's turf, but this article made me so happy, I had to post. From the LA Times Headline:

Bid to appease bullet train critics may violate law
Revisions are in conflict with the ballot measure approved by voters and may go against the Obama administration's plans.

It seems that all the changes being made to this boondoggle are violating the terms of Proposition 1A. Some provisions that can't be met and would violate the law:

• Any initial segment has to use high-speed trains. Instead, the rail authority has agreed to run fewer trains at slower speeds on tracks shared with commuter rail systems.
• Passengers must be able to board in Los Angeles and arrive in San Francisco without changing trains.
  
• The system is supposed to run without taxpayer subsidies. I can't stop laughing at that requirement.

King's County is suing, "two of its residents alleges that the plan to start construction in the Central Valley is also illegal" and the Calwhine blog is reporting that the Howard Jarvis taxpayer association will also be engaging. He reports on an email from Jon Coupal of the association:

“We don’t see how these bonds could ever be issued with such a significant legal cloud hanging over them,” he wrote in an email to me. “In addition to the existing legal challenges, it is likely that multiple parties would jump into any validation action filed by the state seeking to inoculate the financing. Wall Street itself may demand that the issue be revisited by the voters.”

It's hard to describe my jubilation in the firm belief that the taxpayers won't get bilked. H/T Temple of Mut.

Business As Usual - FHA Mortgage Limit Raised

What the hell? At a time when we should be getting the federal government out of the housing market, this little gem appears.

President Obama on Friday signed into law a bill that will reinstate higher limits for Federal Housing Administration-backed mortgages in high-cost areas. In expensive housing areas such as Los Angeles and Orange counties, the limit for these FHA-backed loans had dropped to $625,500 from $729,750 on Oct. 1. The change became effective Friday.

Hey occupiers, how do you like that? Loan guarantees for 1%er home loans. How did this excrement make it out of the House? Well, many Republicans must have voted for it, and Democrats provided the margin of victory. Nice to see bipartisan folly in support of the wealthy. In fact only 101 Republicans voted against it out of 242. This comes at a time when we already know that the FHA is going to need more tax dollars to prop up its loan portfolio. From Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ) Chair of the subcommittee on GSEs:

". . .an independent audit of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) revealed that the housing agency’s cash reserves are down 45% from last year and the “chance that future net losses on the current, outstanding portfolio could exceed current capital resources is close to 50 percent,” which could necessitate a taxpayer bailout next year."

Garrett issued this statement in response to the bill.

“This is what happens when the federal government meddles in economic affairs best left to the private market. Because the federal government has played an outsized role in our country’s housing system, the American taxpayers are now at risk of another costly bailout that will put future generations even deeper into debt. Today’s report shows that FHA is overleveraged at a shockingly high rate of 400 to 1, making Lehman Brothers and Bear Stearns, the poster children of the 2008 financial collapse, look like financially solvent institutions. The FHA audit proves once again that, if left unchanged, the reckless policies currently guiding our nation’s housing finance system will threaten the financial solvency of the United States of America."

Amen, brother.

However, I have to admit that this legislation isn't all bad. It is part of a continuing resolution (or CR, as we call it at work) that was also called a minibus bill, as opposed to omnibus. What was good about the minibus? High speed rail is dead. From FireDogLake (please keep the schadenfreude in check.)

The House passed a spending bill today that kills high-speed rail funding for the current fiscal year. The Senate is expected to follow suit, which means California should not expect the billions of dollars in federal aid on which its futuristic plan for bullet trains depends.

We need to alert Dean.