Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Yes, I imagine that you would like that one... I was thinking more in terms of the Florida voter mandate for high speed rail that passed in 2000 and then never happened because there was no funding.

SHUTERED Loc: SO. CAL.

Sorry to disagree. As someone who has lived in the L.A. area for over 25 years I can say I doubt they will ever finish it. Even the Feds withdrew funding. What started out as a vision for a high speed mono rail has fallen back to the standard 2 rail track we all know. The funding they have available starts the new track in the middle of productive farm land and goes nowhere. The anticipated max rail speed has been cut in half, while the rail distance has been increased between the station points, and as such the travel time. The only ones who will make a profit on this boondogle are the politicle hacks appointed to oversee the building (?) of this project. I question the accomplishment of any construction on this project because much of the current funding is being eaten up by lawsuits and Challenges to eminent domain issues. Besides some very well paid political appointees, I feel the best we can hope for might be a single lane in each direction for unicycles. The real iritation for me is that the rail line sold on the ballot to the voters was for a high speed mono rail system, and once approved, they decided to do as they wanted and the hell with the approved public authorization. Do we need one. Hell yes, as you mention, traffiic here is the pits. :thumbdown:

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

So Richard if you are still watching this thread I would be interested in your thoughts on what is going on in Stockton.

NOSLEEP Loc: Calgary

The glass is half full. Its just a Republican bankruptcy conspiracy... lol

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

No, the bankruptcy given California's laws raises interesting questions and I am more interested in Richards perspective as a taxpayer than I am in making my own comments about it.

Richard94611 Loc: Oakland, CA

I have no special insight into the Stockton situation. I think a number of cities nationwide will be doing the same thing, declaring bankruptcy. Oakland took a number of measures to stay within available funds, including cutting the number of policemen and firemen. I think our fiscal management was simply a lot better than Stockton's. It will be interesting to see who else in the country has to declare bankruptcy.

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

The reason I find Stockton so interesting is that California has a constitutional amendment that may be challenged by the federal courts regarding the protection of the pensions.... I am just wondering from the stand point of the people who will have to pay the taxes what the desired outcome would be... If the contracts and pensions are spared restructuring then it would seem to me that city services will necessarily be cut.... Future bonding issues will in all probability become quite expensive all throughout California as bond holders will realize that their secured debt is somewhat meaningless in the eyes of the California courts... I heard that 40% of Stockton's payroll expense is already going to the pensions, it would seem to me that it is putting pressure on existing services and that will only become more severe with the passage of time... but those are just some of the conclusions that I draw from watching from the outside... It has no effect on me so I can have no opinion, just wondering how Californians view these events.

artlover Loc: NM

This morning, 4-02-2013, shows that CA IS IN DEBT FOR
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ 127,000,000,000.00 - - - - - - - - - -

Texas has a surplus of $$$$$$$$$$$$$ 8.8Billion. + + + +

NOSLEEP Loc: Calgary

I was kidding. I forgot to use a sarcastic font...

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Wait, weren't you just going on and on about people making generalizations? :hunf:

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Some recent articles regarding California's "vibrant economy."

State auditor: California's net worth at negative 127.2 billion
http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2013/03/state-auditor-california-net-worth-at-negative-127-billion.html

Stockton bankruptcy can move forward judge rules
http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-stockton-bankrupt-20130401,0,7979388.story

I do hope you get that surplus you desire though, best of luck to you. 8-)

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

A few months ago I was talking with a group of men at church - one of them was a Stockton fireman - Stockton is only 50 mi west of here - he said the City of Stockton wanted to reduce the number of firefighter but could not legally do it for some reason. I don't remember enough of the conversation to quote him.

Harvey Loc: Pioneer, CA

As I understand it Texas has a very strong growing economy at the present. CA is hardly on the up swing if at all.

cudakite Loc: San Antonio

HaHaHaHa!! Poor rich. Oakland??! Most Californians know Oakland for what it is, the crime-ridden, unwashed armpit of frisco. It's where some ppl are forced to live cuz they can't afford the high rent district across the bay. Before you continue disparaging where others live, I encourage you to take a good look around your own backyard. Oh, and better yet, take a long stroll downtown after dark, then what's left of you can ask this community for advice on recommended moving companies. Hey buddy, YOU started this. Did you really think the folks on THIS site can't research stats on cities and states or do you cling tenaciously to the view that al gore invented the internet and clinton never had sex with monica. Dude, I mean DUDE??!!? Thanks, however, for the insight into your elitist world view. Makes me smile and provides for a personal opportunity to practice humility.

cudakite Loc: San Antonio

Hey Harvey, ever get up to the Giant Redwoods? One of my favorite places in the world. At the southern edge is the lil town of Garberville on the 101. There's a near-hidden road that winds over the King Mountain range to this amazing, tiny village of Shelter Cove on California's "Lost Coast". Wonderful place to relax for a few days. =)