High-Speed Rail: Democrats Join Chorus of Critics
The big question: Are we really getting high-speed rail?
After shaving $30 billion dollars off the price tag of
California's bullet train project, a plan known as the "blended" plan, some
politicians are taking a closer look and questioning whether or not that plan
really delivers high-speed rail.
Assemblywoman Joan Buchanan (D-Alamo) has joined the growing
chorus of Democrats, who have gone on record to share their concerns about the
"blended" plan, which utilizes some existing rail lines and funnels hundreds of
millions of dollars into what's known as the "bookends."
The bookends refer to transit projects that tap into
high-speed rail funds but, according to rail watchdogs, don't deliver high-speed
rail.
Among other Democrats who have challenged the plan is rail
authority vice chair, Lynn Schenk, who just voiced dissent on the blended plan.
And former state lawmakers, Alan Lowenthal and Joe Simitian, who went on record
last year against the project.
Our investigative producer shows us the high-stake show-down
between Amb. Buchanan and rail authority CEO Jeff Morales.
