Comment Log Display

I begin my submission with excerpts from an editorial item in The
Irish Independent newspaper August 21, 2015, titled “Drip, drip,
drip effect erodes all credibility”.  It begins “Successful
politicians recognize the line between confidence and arrogance,
and right now the Government in on the wrong side of (these are my
replacement additions) AB32 and the current politically convoluted
High-speed Rail Project originally known as Proposition 1A.”  
With that said, the absolute goal of government in the State of
California is to focus on the massive damaging drought conditions. 
However, wasting valuable taxpayer contributions for silly legacy
feel good projects baffles our minds. As noted in the opening and
closing statements, it is incumbent on government to provide solid
effective governance something that been missing especially when
plastic bags have more importance than know water crisis.  just
amazing thought process - NOT!
Further, governments must abandon the lunacy of the continuation of
any project or policy (especially the two noted above) that only
create serious unintended consequences directly on the backs of
over stressed taxpayers due political mismanagement for decades. 
In the meanwhile, politicians will only find ways to FURTHER abuse
taxation and unapproved fees the legislative bodies never received
approval from the voters.  These are clear examples of serious
nature that I and others have specifically regarding these two
pieces of legislation.
At the outset, my initial thoughts revolve around a solid
quantifiable issue ‘the unintended consequences of this poorly
executed legislation’.  A review of your PowerPoint hand-out at the
August 4, 2015 meeting in Fresno, it became very clear to me that
this legislation had two primary are goals that regardless of how
one spins it is directly related to uncontrolled growth of state
government, while imposing abusive taxation and / or fees on
everyone in California without the consent of the voters. 
Furthermore, it now very clear that Governor Brown fully intend to
generate funding for HIS financially busted high-speed rail (HSR)
legacy debacle.  Two-years ago, I made an observation when I (we)
realized this project was doomed that the only resultant would be a
15’ berm in the San Joaquin Valley making is a new landmark;
however, not replacing the Great Wall of China but just a smaller
version that one might see if they are orbiting the Earth.  A
recent example of a seriously mismanaged mega-project is the new
2.5 mile Bay Bridge with all the safety faults created by a
politically induced environment.  Support pylons for this structure
should have been at the highest priority without exception and from
current data that was not the case.
This concern is now being seen with the reduced Fresno to
Bakersfield HSR alignment where 100,000 of thousands of pages
created by the authority and their consultants are now in the
process of revision by the prime contractor.  Moreover, the
residents of the San Joaquin Valley have been subject to aggressive
and abusive tactics regarding land acquisition, which now may
become null and void.
I bring forth the above because of one overriding concern and the
two HSR construction bids awarded are for reduced distances in the
respective alignments.  Reason, lack of funding, hence the need to
obtain funding from any source.
       

I was in the audience and witnessed speakers on the dais trip all
over themselves stating the good they have done to date.  We all
heard monies were spent with significant results they stated;
however, from my detailed notes taken during this public forum show
no one ever provide solid validated results.  Additionally, I have
no clue why the ARB would even fund anything involving HSR when is
well documented that HSR WILL BE A NET POLLUTER FOR THE NEXT 30++
YEARS.  In my judgement, this is just another convoluted political
machinated way of getting monies to the Governor's broken legacy
project.  I and others are firmly convinced this not an actual part
of this legislations intent.

Nevertheless, from the Webinar in July and the August public forum,
they were much appreciated; nevertheless, my (and others) entire
take away that this is just another piece of unnecessary
legislation, as noted previously, to only expand government and
dole more monies to questionable agencies or departments with
minimal oversight that seems to require, limited non-descript
reporting.  This my clear take away from both sessions.

Some of my other solid take-a-ways are:

Extremely questionable standards with the only to increase state
employment for the unions with zero compliance to the actual
legislation. 

Furthermore, you are placing unacceptable burdens not only on the
other 49 states and all nations doing business with California. 
That concept will surely create a net business decrease.  The over
ridding business communities displeasure with California is the
state is extremely aggressive thus creating a very unfriendly
business environment.   I could site a perfect example; however, my
previous employment standards require my compliance to confidential
contract requirements.

I along with others in attendance thought and agreed there is a
serious lack of confidence in effective management of this
convoluted governance of this funding investment program.

Once again, we have another government agency over using buzz words
or better named cliché statements with little or no quantifiable
value leaving one to question the strengths of the accountability
and the oversight certainly codify this comment.

Another key overlooked area is Environmental Justice (EJ) and like
HSR who stated they were in total compliance with their
Environmental Impact Reports only to perform an emergency action at
their August 2012 board meeting because it was missing; however,
they stated they were in compliance but that could not be proven. 
I have not had the time to review all documentation; therefore, I
make this comment to address this is a very important aspect and
typically EJ only gets attention when there is a complaint.  In
mine mind not so, it is the benchmark for all agency activities
without reservation.

One the most igneous problems this legislation it seems to be
another conduit for existing agencies to increase their funding 
base thus increasing staff most cases under union contracts.  In
other words, California's almost 600 existing departments /
agencies need to be evaluated for duplication and really actual
need are now required because we the taxpayers demand it and it is
a solid requirement of superior governance that is sorely missing
in Sacramento.  Failure to adjust only ensures the demise of this
state.

A comment from someone who viewed this public forum - they seemed
to use a lot of buzz words or phrases.

This entire process seems too geared to the Agenda 21 program that
was never approved by the voters California nor by the voters of
The United States of America.  That in its self appears to
demonstrate that government running amuck without adherence to the
laws of the land or individual states.  

It seems to me that the major air quality issues in the San Joaquin
Valley are significantly a creation from the Bay area.  I firmly
believe that penalties belong in the Bay area instead of here;
nevertheless, I and others are firmly convinced the "Greenhouse Gas
debacle" is just a methodology to scam the public into more silly
and abusive controls along with unapproved taxation or fees.  
The one key factor that always over looked by these zealots is
Mother Nature rules and conditions such the current drought is not
due to greenhouse gases, it is due to extremely poor lack of
legislative and political mismanagement.  Failure to react to
cyclical events, which is a requirement of superior governance, has
resulted in absolutely draconian measures that should have been
enacted regardless if it as the result of legislative or political
machinations.  The people’s requirements demand effective and
reactive solutions then not later when the disaster is just that! 
A vote from the voters would have overridden those objections.
Another statement from The Irish Times –
“It is remarkable that the Government should have come to such a
pass through its rigidity of thought.”  Nothing in the world is as
flexible and yielding solid governance, which is the missing
component in Sacramento.
In closing:
Quote from President Thomas Jefferson
“My reading of history convinces me that most bad government
results from too much government.”