Gov. Gavin Newsom and the Legislature agreed to create an inspector general job for high-speed rail as part of a compromise that they hope will get the project moving and end with an actual train. But will it work? What are your thoughts?
Until now, a variety of outside agencies have advised the Legislature and the governor on the project, resulting in recommendations that often were not carried out. In some cases, they required changes that nobody had the power to make and in other cases carried too high a political price with outside interest groups.
“The IG will bring a level of oversight that we have not had before,” said Helen Kerstein, the lone bullet train expert at the Legislative Analyst’s office. “This is very powerful.” Fred Weiderhold, a West Point civil engineer who served for 20 years as Amtrak’s inspector general, said if he were taking the California job, he would want to start with a staff of at least 50 people, half auditors, 30% investigators and 20% inspectors and evaluators.
The high speed rail inspector general will not have authority to control actual spending, a decision that was considered and rejected by Newsom.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Europe wants a high-speed rail network to replace airplanesAmbitious plans envisage train links between major cities as a way to meet goals of carbon neutrality, but campaigners say cooperation across borders, not to mention raising the enormous investment needed, will be tricky.
Read more »
Oakland A’s Howard Terminal waterfront ballpark plan will not appear on November ballotResidents were divided about the A’s plan to use $850 million in city taxes for physical improvements on the port property.
Read more »
Here’s how sea anemones launch their venomous stingersStarlet sea anemones use speedy projectiles to sting predators and prey. New images capture a detailed look at these weapons in action.
Read more »
California will end arrests for loitering for prostitutionCalifornia Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a new state law ending arrests for loitering for prostitution.
Read more »
N.J., N.Y. sign funding agreement on Gateway rail tunnel, bridge. Tunnel work could begin in 2023.The governors of New York and New Jersey announced the first phase of the frame work for a funding agreement for the Gateway rail tunnel to Manhattan and the Portal North Bridge.
Read more »