My hometown in the news

Federal money for California's high-speed rail program could be jeopardized if the start of construction is significantly delayed in the San Joaquin Valley. And there are signs that might happen. Court records suggest the California High-Speed Rail Authority's schedule continues to slip for building the project's first stages in Madera and Fresno counties. In its legal battle arguing that an injunction to block construction is unnecessary, the authority said major work is unlikely to start before next fall. Originally, construction was expected to start last month. At the same time, a federal deadline linked to more than $3 billion in stimulus funds may be looming even sooner than previously advertised. Fresno Bee

The Choo Choo was an idea conceived in Chicago. But Chicago does not get federal train subsidies unless California gets them. Hence, the HSR was thrust upon California, where the legislature has been working for a generation to defeat big projects. This is the result you get when Dem Party Oligarchs substitute for the absence of our eight new Senators. California wants our Senators or we will refuse to make debt service payments.