Category Archives: Future of California High-Speed Rail

Pacific Legal Foundation Files Brief Against Governor Brown on Behalf of Bakersfield Church in Path of California High-Speed Rail

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On March 17, 2014, the Sacramento-based Pacific Legal Foundation filed a brief in support of the First Free Will Baptist Church in Bakersfield against Governor Jerry Brown’s extraordinary petition to allow the State of California to borrow money to fund California High-Speed Rail construction by selling Proposition 1A bonds. Citizens for California High-Speed Rail Accountability (CCHSRA) is fighting this petition, which would undo our court victories in 2013.

Here is a copy of the brief: March 14, 2014 Pacific Legal Foundation on Behalf of First Free Will Baptist Church Against Jerry Brown on California High-Speed Rail

A Sacramento County Superior Court judge ruled in 2013 that the California High-Speed Rail Authority failed to comply with Proposition 1A as authorized by voters, and therefore the state could not sell Prop 1A bonds. Governor Brown, the California High-Speed Rail Authority, and other officials asked the California Supreme Court to override the lower court decision and allow the state to issue the bonds. The California Supreme Court appropriately bounced the petition back to the California Court of Appeals for the 3rd District.

The Pacific Legal Foundation describes itself as “the oldest and most successful public interest legal organization that fights for limited government, property rights, individual rights and a balanced approach to environmental protection.” For more information, see the Pacific Legal Foundation’s March 19, 2014 press release about the filing of the brief:

Pacific Legal Foundation Litigates Against Sale of California High-Speed Rail Bonds

The brief is also posted at the Pacific Legal Foundation web site, along with a podcast explaining the brief.

Citizens for California High-Speed Rail Accountability Co-Chair on Ray Appleton Show, KMJ 580 AM, 12:30 pm, Wednesday, February 12

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Citizens for California High-Speed Rail Accountability (CCHSRA) co-chair Frank Oliveira will be interviewed live at 12:30 pm today (February 12, 2014) on the Ray Appleton show on Fresno radio station KMJ 580 AM.

Listen to the show live on the web at this link: http://player.listenlive.co/28021

Frank will be speaking from the World Ag Expo in Tulare, California. This is the world’s largest agricultural exposition. Governor Jerry Brown will be there this morning.

For the latest controversy involving California High-Speed Rail, read Public Gets First Crack at New High-Speed Rail Business Plan – article by Tim Sheehan in Fresno Bee – February 11, 2014.

California Attorney General Files Brief with Appellate Court Defending Extraordinary Petition to Sell California High-Speed Rail Bonds

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California Attorney General Kamala Harris filed a brief this afternoon (Monday, February 10, 2014) on behalf of Governor Jerry Brown, California State Treasurer Bill Lockyer, the Director of the Department of Finance, the Secretary of the State Transportation Agency, the High-Speed Rail Authority, and the High-Speed Passenger Train Finance Committee.

Their goal is to get the California Supreme Court to allow them to borrow money for California High-Speed Rail by selling bonds, thereby overruling two November 2013 decisions of a Sacramento County Superior Court judge determining that the California High-Speed Rail Authority failed to comply with state law (Proposition 1A) that establishes conditions to issue the bonds.

Here’s the brief: Petitioners’ Reply to Preliminary Opposition of Real Parties in Interest – Stay Requested by March 1, 2014.

The brief states that the case involves “weighty matters with far-reaching implications that demand this Court’s rigorous consideration…the stakes are high and the risks are great…” That’s probably the only statement in the brief that has unanimous agreement among the parties.

Expressing the highest levels of professionalism and respect for fellow California citizens, the brief also dares to call the winners of the two Sacramento County Superior Court cases “a collection of special interests.” That’s how they treat citizens who seek California High-Speed Rail accountability.

Read the decisions of Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Michael P. Kenny:

November 25, 2013 California High Speed Rail Authority Bond Validation Lawsuit Ruling

High-Speed Rail Authority and High-Speed Passenger Train Finance Committee, for the State of California v. All Persons Interested in the Matter of the Validity of the Authorization and Issuance of General Obligation Bonds to be Issued Pursuant to the Safe, Reliable High-Speed Passenger Train Bond Act for the 21st Century and Certain Proceeding and Matter Related Thereto.

August 16, 2013 Tos Fukuda Kings County v California High-Speed Rail Prop 1A Ruling

November 25, 2013 Tos Fukuda Kings County v California High-Speed Rail Prop 1A Remedy

John Tos, Aaron Fukuda, County of Kings v. California High Speed Rail Authority, et al.

California High-Speed Rail Authority Releases Draft 2014 Business Plan: Please Read Carefully and Submit Appropriate Comments

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By law (California Public Utilities Code Section 185033), the California High-Speed Rail Authority is required to prepare, publish, adopt, and submit to the California State Legislature, not later than May 1, 2014, and every two years thereafter, a business plan. At least 60 days prior to the publication of the plan, the authority shall publish a draft business plan for public review and comment.

Today (February 7, 2014), the California High-Speed Rail Authority published its draft business plan for public comment. Read the plan at this link:

California High-Speed Rail Authority – Connecting California – Draft 2014 Business Plan

It’s important for political and legal purposes for Californians to comment on the flaws, errors, and distortions in this plan. Please review and comment using one of these five methods:

1. Online comment form through the Draft 2014 Business Plan website:

Submit general questions, comments, or requests about the Draft 2014 Business Plan

2. By email:

[email protected]

3. By U.S. mail to the Authority:

California High-Speed Rail Authority
Attn: 2014 Business Plan
770 L Street, Suite 800
Sacramento, CA 95814

4. Voice mail comment at 916-384-9516.

5. Provide public comment at the Authority’s Board of Directors Meeting on February 11, March 11, and April 10.

Meetings are subject to change, so please check the website home page at www.hsr.ca.gov before making your final plans to attend a specific meeting.

Thank you for making the California High-Speed Rail Authority accountable to the public.

 

Citizens for California High Speed Rail Accountability (CCHSRA) and Kings County Farm Bureau (KCFB) Host Fundraiser to “Protect Agriculture and The Valley,” Slated for February 20th in Hanford

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Hanford, CA February 6, 2014 – Citizens for California High Speed Rail Accountability (CCHSRA) and the Kings County Farm Bureau (KCFB) will co-host a fundraising luncheon/reception to “Protect Agriculture and The Valley” on Thursday, February 20th, 2014 at the Civic Auditorium in Hanford, California.

Special guests include Congressman David Valadao, Assemblyman Frank Bigelow, Assemblywoman Shannon Grove, and Assemblywoman Diane Harkey along with invited guests Senator Andy Vidak and Assemblyman Jim Patterson with others TBA.

Those who attend the fundraiser will have a chance to hear elected officials speak about key issues adversely affecting agriculture in the Central Valley, which include California high-speed rail and water. Attendees will also have a chance to personally ask the legislators questions.

“This is an historical event where our legislators will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Central Valley citizens and agriculture to call on our state to be accountable,” said KCFB Executive Director Diane Friend.

A fundraising sponsor lunch with special guests will be followed by a lunch reception.

Sponsorship and ticket information inquiries should be made via email to CCHSRA Board Members Alan Scott (a_scott1318 [at] comcast.net) and/or Helen Sullivan (sullypnh [at] wildblue.net).

Kings County Farm Bureau is a non-profit advocacy organization, which represents approximately 800 members of the agricultural community. The mission of KCFB is to provide education, promotion and representation of agriculture.

Citizens for California High Speed Rail Accountability (CCHSRA) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy group based in Kings County whose members reside in the city of Hanford and surrounding rural areas, along with other Californians who are affected by the high-speed rail. The group has been in the forefront since June 2011 attempting to get the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and its board to be in full compliance with Proposition 1A, which the state’s voters passed in November 2008.

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For more information, please visit us at https://cchsra.org/ and/or contact Shelli Andranigian at andranigianmedia7 [at] att.net. Thank you.

February 20, 2014 – Citizens for California High Speed Rail Accountability (CCHSRA) and Kings County Farm Bureau (KCFB) Fundraiser in Hanford to Protect Agriculture and the Valley

Filed with the Court: Opposition to Governor Brown’s Petition to Allow California High-Speed Rail to Borrow Money by Issuing Bonds

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February 3, 2014 – The winning parties in Sacramento County Superior Court against the California High-Speed Rail Authority now fight back against an attempt by Governor Jerry Brown to help the Authority evade public accountability by seeking extraordinary relief from the California Supreme Court.

California High-Speed Rail - Cut Water Deliveries - Disasters - Courtesy of Governor Brown - April 4 2013 in Fresno

Parked outside a California High-Speed Rail Authority board meeting remote location – April 4, 2013 in Fresno.

Gov. Brown (along with State Treasurer Bill Lockyer and Attorney General Kamala Harris) wants the state to proceed with borrowing money for construction of the 29-mile Madera to Fresno high-speed rail segment by issuing Prop. 1A bonds, even though the California High-Speed Rail Authority has not complied with the law, as confirmed in 2013 by a judge.

February 3, 2014 – Preliminary Opposition of Real Parties in Interest John Tos, Aaron Fukuda, County of Kings, and County of Kern to Governor Brown Petition for Extraordinary Writ of Mandate – California High-Speed Rail Authority

Please contact these leaders with press inquiries:

Aaron Fukuda – afukuda77 [at] gmail.com – Cell: 559-707-8928

Frank Oliveira – frank.oliveira [at] me.com – Cell: 559-469-6685

Court decisions against California High-Speed Rail Authority:

John Tos v. California High Speed Rail Authority (Prop 1A compliance)

August 16, 2013 Tos Fukuda Kings County v California High-Speed Rail Prop 1A Ruling

November 25, 2013 Tos Fukuda Kings County v California High-Speed Rail Prop 1A Remedy

California High-Speed Rail Authority v. All Persons Interested (bond validation)

November 25, 2013 California High Speed Rail Authority Bond Validation Lawsuit Ruling

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