Lowenthal: I'm not playing politics; I'm ensuring transparency

By Alan Lowenthal

E-Mail

reprint or license

Comments (0)

Text Size:

tool goes here

You recently editorialized that I had attempted a "power grab" and intended to prevent the high-speed rail maintenance facility from being constructed in the San Joaquin Valley ("Quit playing high-speed politics," Opinions, June 13).

It is simply untrue. In fact, I have been a strong and consistent supporter of high-speed rail and will continue to advocate for its route through the valley. My recent actions stem from the High-Speed Rail Authority's reluctance to provide a sound business plan. A plan that was explicitly required by Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani's legislation.

As chair of the Senate Transportation and Housing Committee, I can unequivocally tell you that Galgiani's bill placing the bond measure on last November's ballot would have been defeated in the committee until she took amendments guaranteeing the first phase of the project would run through the San Joaquin Valley.

Moreover, the committee insisted that her bill be amended to include language that guarantees enhanced public accountability of the High-Speed Rail Authority. To this end, my colleagues and I required that the authority prepare a business plan describing how it intends to finance the entire $34 billion, since the bond provides only $9 billion in taxpayer funds. Even after these amendments, I had to fight on the floor of the Senate to get the 27 votes necessary to put the measure on last November's ballot.

The business plan required by the bond was two months late in its delivery to the Legislature. Moreover, the Legislative Analyst's Office told us "the information provided is very general and does not provide specifics that are included in typical business plans."

This brings us to the issue of the maintenance facility.

After reviewing the analyst's report, the Senate-Assembly Budget Conference Committee, of which I'm a member, decided at my recommendation to fund the authority for only six months and require the authority to prepare a new business plan. The legislative analyst will review and recommend to us whether the High-Speed Rail Authority should receive the remainder of its funding for next fiscal year. This language was approved by the committee unanimously and is supported by the governor.

The Legislature's action will not cause any delay to the development of the maintenance facility. There is sufficient funding for the authority to continue its work through December. Moreover, the budget language does not prescribe where the facility should be located. I have absolutely no interest in where the maintenance facility should be located. None.

It amazes me that a newspaper that consistently advocates for transparency and openness in government believes that the Legislature should rubber stamp $9 billion in taxpayer money without requiring even minimum transparency. While that may be good enough for The Bee and Assemblywoman Galgiani, it is not good enough for me. I will continue to fulfill my oversight responsibility as a state senator and not allow others to play politics with this issue.

Lowenthal, a Democrat, represents Long Beach and surrounding communities in the state Senate.