California bullet train funding slashed by House panel

[LeighAnn]

Source: LA Times

The fortunes of California's high-speed rail project, which would connect Southern California to the Bay Area with a 220mph train, took a big financial hit Thursday afternoon, when a congressional panel slashed the Federal Railroad Administration budget.

The Obama administration had asked for $8 billion for fiscal 2012 for high-speed rail projects, including the one in California, as well as other passenger rail programs around the country.

But the House Appropriations subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development on Thursday cut the request by nearly $7 billion, leaving money only to operate Amtrak and some smaller programs.

House Republican leaders had signaled before the session that they would not support any request for additional high-speed rail outlays. They cited pressure to cut spending and argued such projects don't make economic sense.

Read more: http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/09/california-high-speed-rail-federal-funding-cut.html

[msongs]

1. then cancel the building of some useless bombers and tanks to make up for the loss nt

[DrunkenBoat]

2. They are dumb as dirt.

[LibDemAlways]

3. Anyone who has travelled most anywhere else in the world

knows that America's rail system is an antiquated joke. However, millionaires in Congress who ride around in limos and private jets have no interest in funding transportation systems that would drag the US into the 20th century - never mind the 21st. There might be a few dollars less for some useless weapons systems that will be wildly over-budget and cancelled in a few years anyway. This country has its priorities totally screwed up.

[onehandle]

4. Doing thy master's bidding...

...by killing the 'red car.'



Judge Doom and Big Oil laugh.

[AndyTiedye]

11. ++++++++

[and-justice-for-all]

5. This country is back-asswards...nt

[ChairmanAgnostic]

6. Tea Baggers are, not the rest of us.

[dana_b]

7. wow - we really could have used the damn jobs!

but I guess that wouldn't make any economic sense - putting people to work and building transportation infrastructure.

[defendandprotect]

8. kr -- we can't afford no stinkin' fast trains -- !!

[Firebrand Gary]

9. So dosent this still have to make it through the Senate and require a Presidents signature?

[Le Taz Hot]

10. Oh, peachy!

That's 125,000 jobs for an area with a 16% to 21% unemployment rate. Thanks, Congress! :mad:

[MBS]

14. " " " " "" " "n/t

[Massacure]

12. Would this 8 billion have been on top of the economic stimulus act passed two years ago? n/t

[agincourt]

13. Can't help but wonder

....if it would have got funded in a red state.

[PavePusher]

15. If California wants high-speed rail.....

why don't they fund it themselves?

[krabigirl]

16. :( was really looking forward to that train. Why must we always lag behind other countries?