By Alex Lane -

Today will be the first in our series on statewide propositions set for the November ballot. Every day throughout the coming week’s newscasts, we’ll bring you the details of Propositions 1A through 12 and how they could affect you. Today we’ll focus on Proposition 1A, which would provide nearly 10 billion in bonds for a high-speed rail network that would initially link the Bay Area, the Central Valley and Southern California. The measure authorizes the State to sell 9.95 billion in general obligation bonds to fund construction activities and passenger rail system improvements. These bonds will not raise taxes. Proponents of the measure see this as a “safe, convenient, affordable and reliable alternative” that “will bring California electric-powered High-speed Trains running up to 220 miles an hour on modern tracks safely separated from other traffic.” They highlight that the proposed train could remove “12 billion pounds of CO2” and create “nearly 160,000 construction jobs and 450,000 jobs in related industries” in addition to providing a match for at least 9 billion dollars in federal funding and private investment. But opponents see this as “a boondoggle that will cost taxpayers nearly 20 billion dollars in principal and interest.” In their opinion, “the State already has over 100 billion in voter approved bonds and our bond rating is already among the worst in the nation.” Finally, they point out that the money will be controlled by “politicians and bureaucrats” with “no reporting requirements so the public can see how the money is spent.” Popular opinion dictates that the State needs clean alternatives to air and freeway travel, and that the Central Valley needs economic development. But opponents say this proposition would pull up to 647 million from the General Fund without oversight. On November 4th, you’ll have the opportunity to decide.