Quit playing high-speed politics

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Hey, Southern California. Hands off the high-speed rail maintenance hub.

State Sen. Alan Lowenthal, D-Long Beach, is trying a power grab on some of the High Speed Rail Authority's $139.2 million project funding. He's trying to use language in the state budget to prevent the funds from being used for the high-speed rail hub in the valley.

Valley voters were sold on high-speed rail with promises of local jobs and economic development. Altering the plans after the initiative passed is wrong.

Assemblywoman Cathleen Galgiani, D-Livingston, got wind of the plot after Lowenthal proposed the anti-valley language. She fired off letters to stop it.

State Sen. Jeff Denham, R-Atwater, also wrote a letter to Quentin Kopp, chairman of the California High Speed Rail Authority.

Galgiani and Denham are to be applauded for their strong defense of the valley's funding. But it's sad that politics are still being played this late in the process.

The main trunk of high-speed rail — the part where trains will actually reach their fastest speeds — is planned between Merced and Bakersfield. California is competing for stimulus money from the federal government to help fund the project. Any negative comments or infighting could derail that.

The maintenance hub — where the statewide system will be built and maintained — will bring with it job opportunities and pump an influx of money into the local economy.

No promises have been made about the maintenance hub's location, but the old Castle Air Force Base should get serious consideration. The high-speed rail authority seems to agree. Castle has been identified as the authority's first choice for the maintenance hub. Locations in Chowchilla and Madera are also under consideration.

High-speed rail has been a dream for many years in the valley. The decision on where it goes, and whether it makes economic sense, should be made in the open. It shouldn't be decided behind the scenes in subcommittees in Sacramento.