Neel Kashkari on Technology

Day one, high-speed rail train is dead

Kashkari replied instantly, eager to highlight his steadfast opposition to California's high-speed rail project in front of a conservative audience: "Absolutely. Day one, that train is dead."

One big question now is whether, despite spending billions already, the project will ever be completed. Another is whether high-speed rail is the issue that can rejuvenate California's moribund Republican Party. For his part, Brown continues to embrace the undertaking, which has faced a series of legal, financial, and practical hurdles that have driven up costs and delayed construction for years. Even news that some members of his own party have abandoned the project hasn't dimmed Brown's unyielding optimism.

Cancel the Crazy Train high-speed rail

Prepare for future droughts by asking voters to cancel the Crazy Train and redirect high-speed rail bond money to increase water storage.
1. Ask voters to cancel high-speed rail and redirect bond money toward critical water storage projects, while working with Washington to craft a cost-sharing agreement. Put high-speed rail back on the ballot, empowering the people of California to reject the misguided project. Neel will ask voters to approve a plan using the bond money--up to $9.95 billion as was originally approved for high-speed rail--for water storage to strengthen California's ability to cope with and manage an unreliable and highly volatile water supply.
2. Fully utilize current reservoir capacity. Clear existing reservoirs of sediment that currently reduces water storage capacity. Costs associated with restoring existing reservoirs to their full capacity will be included in the water bond dedicated to increasing water storage across the state.