California Online Voter Guide
November 2008 General Election
17th edition
Proposition 1A – Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act. Passed
Summary
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Provides long-distance commuters with a safe, convenient, affordable, and reliable alternative to driving and high gas prices.
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Reduces traffic congestions on the state’s highways and at the state’s airports.
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Reduces California’s dependence on foreign oil.
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Reduces air pollution and global warming greenhouse gases.
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Establishes a clean, efficient 220 MPH transportation system.
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Improves existing passenger rail lines serving the state’s major population centers.
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Provides for California’s growing population.
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Provides for a bond issue of $9.95 billion to establish high-speed train service linking Southern California counties, the Sacramento/San Joaquin Valley, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
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Provides that at least 90% of these bond funds shall be spent for specific construction projects, with private and public matching funds required, including, but not limited to, federal funds, funds from revenue bonds, and local funds.
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Requires that use of all bond funds is subject to independent audits.
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Appropriates money from the General Fund to pay bond principle and interest.
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Fiscal Impact: State costs of about $19.4 billion, assuming 30 years to pay of both principle ($9.95 billion) and interest ($9.5 billion) costs of the bonds. Payments of about $647 million per year.
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Fiscal Impact: When constructed, additional unknown costs, probably in excess of $1 billion a year, to operate and maintain a high-speed train system. The costs would be at least partially, and potentially fully, offset by passenger fare revenues, depending on ridership.
What a Yes or No 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.
Full Text of Proposition 1A - (PDF)
Official Campaign Web Sites and Contact Information
- Yes on Proposition 1A
Californians for High Speed Trains – Yes on Proposition 1A
455 Capitol Mall, Suite 801
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 551-2513
Web site: www.californiahighspeedtrains.com
- No on Proposition 1A
Derail High Speed Rail, Vote no on Prop 1A
Email: derail@derailhsr.com
Web site: www.derailhsr.com
Who Signed the Ballot Arguments
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Yes on Proposition 1A
Steven B. Falk, President, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
Gary Toebben, President, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce
Fran Florez, Vice-Chair, California High Speed Rail Authority -
No on Proposition 1A
Hon. Tom McClintock, State Senator
Hon. George Runner, State Senator
Jon Coupal, President, Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association
News Articles
CVF's News Stories section provides California voters with convenient access to a sampling of news articles that give an overview of the potential impact of the propositions on the ballot.
Follow the Money
PROPOSITION 1A |
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Position |
Support |
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Oppose |
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Total Raised |
$1,591,807 |
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Top Donors |
Name |
Amount |
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Name |
Amount |
California Alliance for Jobs Rebuild
California Committee |
$500,000 |
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International Union
of Operating Engineers Operating Engineers Local No. 3 (tied) |
$250,000 |
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CA State Council of
Laborers Issues PAC |
$100,000 |
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AECOM Tech Corporation Members Voice of the State Building Trades (tied) |
$50,000 |
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Detailed information about all contributors for and against Proposition 1A is available from campaign finance reports at Cal-Access, the Secretary of State's campaign disclosure web site. To view the most recent contributions, select a committee and click "Late and $5000+ Contributions Received".
This page was first published on September
27, 2008 |
Last updated on
July 26, 2010
Copyright California Voter Foundation, All Rights Reserved.
