The High-Speed Rail Authority released a new business plan last month lauded as a practical, honest strategy to construct a statewide high-speed train system. The plan was praised by state elected officials, business groups, community leaders, the mayors of San Francisco, Fresno, Los Angeles and San Jose, and even this newspaper's editorial board.
This plan lays the foundation for a project that will address our growing transportation needs, connect California's population centers and create hundreds of thousands of jobs when we need them the most.
Still, a small number of critics suggests that the plan and this project are inconsistent with the voters' intent when they authorized a high-speed rail system in 2008 and are calling for a new vote. That step is neither required, practical nor good public policy.
