Voter Information Guide (VIG)







PDF versions of the VIG Get Adobe Reader






PLEASE NOTE: After the printing of the Voter Information Guide was
underway, Proposition 1 was removed from the ballot pursuant to statute.
It will be replaced by Proposition 1A on the ballot. A Supplemental Voter Information Guide was printed to provide voters with the text, analyses, arguments, and other information about the measure required by law.



QUICK-REFERENCE GUIDE


PROP
1A

SAFE, RELIABLE HIGH-SPEED PASSENGER TRAIN BOND ACT.

SUMMARY                                                        Put on the Ballot by the Legislature


To provide Californians a safe, convenient, affordable, and reliable alternative to driving and high gas prices; to provide good-paying jobs and improve California's economy while reducing air pollution, global warming greenhouse gases, and our dependence on foreign oil, shall $9.95 billion in bonds be issued to establish a clean, efficient high-speed train service linking Southern California, the Sacramento/San Joaquin Valley, and the San Francisco Bay Area, with at least 90 percent of bond funds spent for specific projects, with private and public matching funds required, including, but not limited to, federal funds, funds from revenue bonds, and local funds, and all bond funds subject to independent audits? Fiscal Impact: State costs of $19.4 billion, assuming 30 years to pay both principal and interest costs of the bonds. Payments would average about $647 million per year. When constructed, unknown operation and maintenance costs, probably over $1 billion annually; at least partially, and potentially fully, offset by passenger fares.

WHAT YOUR VOTE MEANS


YES   A YES vote on this measure means: The state could sell $9.95 billion in general obligation bonds, to plan and to partially fund the construction of a high-speed train system in California, and to make capital improvements to state and local rail services.

 

NO   A NO vote on this measure means: The state could not sell $9.95 billion in general obligation bonds for these purposes.

ARGUMENTS


PRO   California's transportation system is broken: skyrocketing gasoline prices and gridlocked freeways and airports. High-speed trains are the new transportation option that reduces greenhouse gases and dependence on foreign oil. High-speed trains are cheaper than building new highways and airports to meet population growth and require NO NEW TAXES.

 

CON   Prop. 1A is a huge boondoggle. Taxpayers pay at least $640,000,000 per year in costs for a government run railroad. There’s no guarantee it will ever get built. Expand existing transportation systems instead to cut commutes and save fuel. No on 1A: an open taxpayer checkbook with virtually no accountability.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


FOR
Robert Pence
Californians For High Speed Trains
– Yes on Proposition 1A
455 Capitol Mall, Suite 801
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 551-2513
www.CaliforniaHighSpeedTrains.com

 

AGAINST
Jon Coupal
Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
921 11th Street, Suite 1201
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 444-9950
info@hjta.org
www.hjta.org



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