California Congress Members Urge Action On High Speed Rail
WASHINGTON,DC - A bipartisangroup of twenty-seven members of the California Congressional Delegation,spearheaded by Congressman Jim Costa (D-Fresno), have urged Gov. ArnoldSchwarzenegger and the state's legislative leadership to provide futuresupport for development of a High Speed Rail System.
In a letter to the governor and Senate President Pro Tem DonPerata, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, and Republican Leaders, Senator DickAckerman and Assembly member George Plescia the Members of Congress urgedcontinued funding of the High Speed Rail Authority for the next two years sothe Authority can complete its work on the Environmental Impact Reports, workthat is needed so that right-away acquisition and construction could begin ifCalifornia voters approve the bond measure in 2008.
Text of the letter follows:
June 15, 2006
Hon. Don Perata Hon.Fabian Nunez
Senate President Pro Tem Speakerof the Assembly
State Capitol, Room 205 State Capitol, Room 219
Sacramento, CA95814 Sacramento, CA95814
Hon. Dick Ackerman Hon.George Plescia
Senate Republican Leader AssemblyRepublican Leader
State Capitol, Room 305 StateCapitol, Room 3098
Sacramento, CA95814 Sacramento, CA95814
Gentlemen:
As members of the bipartisan California CongressionalDelegation, we urge you to support the proposed funding levels for the HighSpeed Rail Authority and to include those operating funds in the 2006-2007state budget.
In addition, we also support moving the $9 billion HighSpeed Rail Construction Bond measure from the November, 2006 election ballot tothe November, 2008 election ballot.
Further, we support creation of the proposed JointLegislative Committee on High Speed Trains to be made up of 5 Members of theSenate and 5 Members of the Assembly.
The continued funding of the High Speed Rail Authority,setting a new date certain for the High Speed Rail Construction Bond to gobefore voters, and the increased legislative oversight of the High Speed Trainissue by the proposed Joint Legislative Committee on High Speed Train are, eachand every one, interrelated and offer the greatest opportunity for the state todevelop a transportation network of 21st Century ability.
By 2025, it is predicted that California's population will exceed 50million people. The ongoing influx ofnew residents already places great strain on the state's transportationnetwork. Our highways are overcrowdedand increasingly dangerous. Air qualitycontinues to be a problem throughout the state due, in no small part, toemissions from automobiles and trucks.
Creation of a High Speed Rail System will most certainlyconnect all aspects of the state's transportation infrastructure includingpassenger rail, highways and air transportation systems. The integration of our transportationinfrastructure that will come about with the build-out of a High Speed RailSystem will help relieve our crowded
highways, improve air quality throughout the state and allowenhanced movement of goods and people in a manner consistent with California's growingpopulation. This is extremely importantto our long-term economic growth.
In order for the ultimate integration of our transportationnetwork to take place, the High Speed Rail Authority must have the ability tocontinue its work. This is why wesupport continued funding for the Authority.
Increased legislative oversight of the High Speed RailAuthority's activities will allow greater public input as the Authority's workmoves forward in anticipation of the proposed system's construction bond'sapproval by voters.
We further believe that moving the High Speed RailConstruction Bond measure to the November, 2008 election ballot is appropriate,given the task that lie ahead for the High Speed Rail Authority and theopportunity for greater legislative oversight that will come about by creationof the Joint Legislative Committee on High Speed Trains.
In advance, thank you for considering our position on theseissues. We look forward to continuedcollaboration in our mutual desire to solve California's transportation needs.
** This letter was signed by the following members of theHouse of Representatives: Joe Baca (D-CA43), Howard Berman (D-CA28), Ken Calvert(R-CA44), Dennis Cardoza (D-CA18), Jim Costa (D-CA20), Susan Davis (D-CA53),Sam Farr (D-CA17), Bob Filner (D-CA51), Jane Harman (D-CA36), Mike Honda(D-CA15), Darrell Issa (R-CA49), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA16), Doris Matsui (D-CA5),Howard McKeon (R-CA25), George Miller (D-CA7), Grace Napolitano (D-CA38), DevinNunes (R-CA21), Nancy Pelosi (D-CA8), Richard Pombo (R-CA11), Linda Sanchez(D-CA39), Adam Schiff (D-CA29), Brad Sherman (D-CA27), Hilda Solis (D-CA32),Ellen Tauscher (D-CA10), Mike Thompson (D-CA1), Diane Watson (D-CA33), HenryWaxman (D-CA30)
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