“The High-Speed Rail Authority offers a much improved, financially strong and realistic plan that maps out construction and operation of a high-speed rail system to benefit Californians for years to come.

“The High-Speed Rail Authority has been working around the clock for the past five months to develop a revised business plan that is much more responsive to the concerns expressed by the legislature and the local communities that will be impacted by the project. By better utilizing and improving existing rail infrastructure, Californians are getting more bang for their tax dollars and will have the nation’s first high-speed rail system by 2022.

“High-speed rail is a game-changing project that will alter California much in the same way that the Interstate System and State Water Project did years ago. It will put thousands of people to work now. It will connect the economically distressed Central Valley with the Bay Area and Southern California and pave the way for whole new job centers that will benefit our state for decades to come.”

“Considering that the construction industry is still suffering from more than 25 percent unemployment, we urge the legislature to roll up their shirtsleeves and work hard to move this proposal through the budget process. “

“Although the High Speed Rail Authority’s revised business plan has yet to be officially unveiled, it appears that four months of working literally around the clock has produced a better, leaner project that is also more responsive to regional concerns and more innovative in utilizing and improving existing rail infrastructure.

“I am therefore disappointed and perplexed with those in the legislature who without more than an initial briefing are already casting stones and complaining that it will require a ‘heroic’ effort to review the revised plan before the state budget is due.

“Considering that the construction industry is still suffering more than 25 percent unemployment, a little hard work and heroism is exactly what is needed from our elected representatives.

“Under new leadership installed by Governor Brown, the Authority is revamping the High Speed Rail project into a real game-changer for California’s economy. It will put thousands of people to work now. It will connect the economically distressed Central Valley with the Bay Area and Southern California and pave the way for whole new job centers that will benefit our state for decades to come.

“Governor Brown clearly has connected those dots and is rightly standing up to the nay-sayers. It would be helpful if others who are positioned to decide the fate of this critical project would do the same.”

:60 Radio – “Respect”

Will:                Hey guys, Will Durst here.  You know I’m from Milwaukee.  That’s why I love the Central Valley.  You’ve got cold beer, warm people, and you get no respect.  When  critics from the Bay Area and Southern California questioned why the high-speed rail project would start here in the Valley, here’s what Alan Autry, the highly respected former mayor of Fresno had to say.

Alan:               We’ve all watched as our young people graduate from high school and move away from our community.  We need to provide opportunity here, at home, so our families can stay together.  That’s why we need this high-speed rail system. Those who call this the train to nowhere simply have no respect for our community and our families.

Will:                I couldn’t have said it better myself.  Alan is one of many people around the Central Valley that realize the long-term advantages of high-speed rail.  Sure it creates thousands of jobs during the construction phase but the long-term economic advantages, permanent jobs and connectivity to LA and the Bay Area are enormous.

Will:                To find out more, log  onto rebuildca.org, that’s rebuildca.org

SFX                 Pneumonic

Will:                Sponsored by the California Alliance for Jobs.

 Bakersfield – Supporters of high-speed rail, including construction workers, businesses, students, transportation advocates and others, held a press conference and rally outside the California State University, Bakersfield Town Hall on high-speed rail Thursday evening.

Supporters urged Congressman Kevin McCarthy to support the bullet train, citing jobs, economic development and air quality improvements that will directly benefit Kern County residents if the project moves forward.

According to projections by Kern County staff, grade separations built to accommodate high-speed rail could save Kern County “millions in transportation costs.”

That same review of the project also found that the project will bring between 5,000 and 10,000 new jobs to Kern County over the next five years. This is welcome news to our region, which suffers from more than 13 percent unemployment. Statewide, the high-speed rail will bring thousands more jobs.

High-speed rail will take cars off the roads and airplanes out of the skies, thereby reducing air pollution and eliminating 3.2 million tons of CO2 emissions annually, statewide. Air quality benefits from high speed rail will be especially important to Kern residents. According to the American Lung Association, an April 2011 study found the Bakersfield-Delano metropolitan area ranks first in short-term particle pollution in the nation, and they are the only two cities where year-round particle pollution worsened from last year.

Donny Williams, President, Kern, Inyo and Mono Counties Central Labor Council: “Our forefathers had the vision and wisdom to invest in our infrastructure at critical points in our state and nation’s history. They demonstrated vision during our most economically challenging times, and they built vital infrastructure projects like the State Water Project, Highway 99 and the I-5 which transformed the Central Valley. Today, we can’t imagine our lives without these projects. The high-speed rail system is no different. Not only will it fundamentally change mobility and travel in California and Kern County, it will create thousands of jobs.”

Marvin Dean, founder, Kern and Central Valley Support Group for High Speed Rail: “Small businesses and residents in Kern County and the San Joaquin Valley will directly benefit from jobs associated with construction of high speed rail. It provides a benefit to my members and other small and minority owned businesses throughout the state. A large portion of the contracts to build the high speed rail system in California, up to 30%, must be awarded to businesses like ours through a competitive process. Thousands of jobs will be created during the construction phase directly benefitting minority-owned businesses.

John Spaulding, Kern, Mono & Inyo Counties Building Trades Council: “High speed rail is a project we need in California, but especially in Kern County. With unemployment in the construction trades above 20 percent, the cost of doing nothing far outweighs the investment and the benefits in this much-needed project.”

Mitchall Patel, Alumnus, California State University, Bakersfield: “I was raised in Bakersfield, I went to school at Cal State Bakersfield, I want to stay here and raise my family here. With high speed rail, we’ll be able to connect Bakersfield to other economic centers to the north and south, expanding future job possibilities for people like me and my children.”

Tony Lusich, Kern Transportation Foundation: “Kern County estimates high speed rail could save Kern County millions in transportation costs. Kern County also estimates it will create five to ten thousand new jobs in the next five years. Taking cars off the road will clean our air. Those are three excellent reasons Kern residents will benefit and reasons we all should support high speed rail.”

Jim Earp, Executive Director, California Alliance for Jobs: “The high-speed rail project is one of those transformative projects that will have as much of an impact on California and its economy as the railroads and the State Water Project. It will produce thousands of jobs, boost the economy, provide a greener and faster mode of transportation and will help California meet its growing transportation needs.”

Daniel Krause, co-founder and executive director, Californians for High Speed Rail: “The California High Speed Rail project is absolutely essential to California’s future, from providing desperately needed transportation capacity to clean our air, to reducing congestion and stimulating economic activity.  While opponents have been running a relentless campaign of fear, doubt and uncertainty to give the impression the project is too risky, in fact, there is far more risk in not moving forward. It will cost much more to expand airports and freeways to create the same amount of transportation capacity. Additionally, borrowing costs will be offset by the requirement that any Prop 1A used must be matched by non-state source of funds, injecting billions of outside dollars into our state’s economy.  It is time to set the record straight – high-speed rail is truly the low-risk alternative.”

Mountain View – Supporters of high-speed rail, including construction workers, business groups, transportation advocates and many others, urged legislators to support the bullet train at a Legislative Budget hearing in Mountain View Tuesday evening.

Holding signs reading, “We Want High-Speed Rail” “HSR is California’s Future” and “HSR = Jobs”, supporters held a rally before the hearing at which they stressed the need for the Legislature to approve initial bond funding to begin construction in the Central Valley.

Supporters stressed how important the bullet train is to California’s transportation future. The project is needed to meet California’s growing population and mobility needs, but there are societal benefits such as improved transportation, cleaner air, congestion relief and connecting the state’s economic centers that will improve Californians quality of life.

On top of that, immediate benefits include thousands of jobs created in the construction sector and increased economic activity throughout the state.

San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed: “We appreciate efforts to continue studying alternatives that will allow early investment in projects in the Bay Area, such as electrification in the corridor. Improving the connections between our state’s economic and tourist centers will create jobs and benefit the entire high-speed rail system.”

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee: “To maintain our global economic competitiveness, we must re-commit our investment to infrastructure. California high-speed rail will cultivate greater travel and tourism in our State, cut greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, and reduce dramatically our dependence on oil. By reducing congestion on our freeways and highways, at our airports and on commuter transit, we will create jobs and grow a greener economy.”

Neil Struthers, Santa Clara & San Benito Counties Building & Construction Trades Council: “Our forefathers had the vision and wisdom to invest in our infrastructures at critical points in our state and nation’s history. They demonstrated vision during our most economically challenging times, and they built vital infrastructure like the Golden Gate Bridge, the Bay Bridge and BART. Today, we can’t imagine the Bay Area transportation system without them. The high-speed rail system is no different. Not only will it fundamentally change mobility and travel in California and the Bay Area, it will create thousands of jobs.”

Jim Lazarus, Senior Vice President, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce: “With high-speed rail, the Bay Area is given the opportunity to jump-start long planned regional transit improvements. High-speed rail dollars are already funding construction of the San Francisco’s new TransBay Transit Center. These same sources can fund CalTrain electrification and the already approved underground rail extension to First and Mission Streets. In addition to improving the Bay Area’s transportation infrastructure, this construction activity will boost our economy when we need it most and provide sustainable growth for decades to come.”

Carl Guardino, CEO, Silicon Valley Leadership Group: “High-Speed Rail is the right move for California’s mobility and economy. The Silicon Valley Leadership Group applauds the decision to embrace a ‘blended approach’ for HSR and Caltrain along the Peninsula, as maintaining and improving the Caltrain commuter rail system is a high priority for our 365-member companies. A project of this scale will never be ready to everyone’s satisfaction, and delaying the project just puts off – and increases – the cost to us and to future generations.”

Jim Earp, Executive Director, California Alliance for Jobs: “The high-speed rail project is one of those transformative projects that will have as much of an impact on California and its economy as the railroads and the State Water Project. It will produce thousands of jobs, boost the economy, provide a greener and faster mode of transportation and will help California meet its growing transportation needs.”

Daniel Krause, co-founder and executive director, Californians for High Speed Rail: “The California High Speed Rail project is absolutely essential to California’s future, from providing desperately needed transportation capacity to clean our air, to reducing congestion and stimulating economic activity.  While opponents have been running a relentless campaign of fear, doubt and uncertainty to give the impression the project is too risky, in fact, there is far more risk in not moving forward. It will cost much more to expand airports and freeways to create the same amount of transportation capacity. Additionally, borrowing costs will be offset by the requirement that any Prop 1A used must be matched by non-state source of funds, injecting billions of outside dollars into our state’s economy.  It is time to set the record straight – high-speed rail is truly the low-risk alternative.”

Jim Homer, Laborers Local 270: “High speed rail is the most ambitious project California has embarked on in many years. It’s cost-effective, it will bring our state thousands of jobs, enduring economic benefits and environmental and social benefits. We can’t stop now.”

Bill Nack, San Mateo Building & Construction Trades Council: “We need high speed rail. It is a smart investment in California’s future. We need it to accommodate our growing population. We need it to reduce congestion. We need it to help clean our air. We need it to create jobs and economic activity. High speed rail also will be more cost effective than building more roads and airports to move the same number of people. High-speed rail is a smart, visionary investment and it should go forward.”

Jim Wunderman, CEO & President, Bay Area Council: “High speed rail can be an economic game changer for California and the Bay Area, where it will bring badly needed upgrades to this region’s important Caltrain commuter rail service. High speed rail will create fast, efficient connections among our state’s major economic centers and link California to the 21^st Century in a way that will keep us economically competitive with the rest of the world. There are many risks, which we believe the High Speed Rail Authority and Governor Brown take very seriously and are working hard to address. But the risk to California’s future of not moving forward is greater.”

Mark Kyle, Operating Engineers, Local 3: “High speed rail is a project we need in California. We need the rail line for mobility and to accommodate our growing population, but we also need the jobs that will come with constructing it. With unemployment in the construction trades hovering near 20 percent, the cost of doing nothing far outweighs the investment in this much-needed project.”

John Martin, Airport Director, San Francisco International Airport: “San Francisco International Airport is a strong supporter of high speed rail in California. Passenger traffic at SFO is expected to grow to 50 million passengers by 2025. Currently, the Los Angeles Basin is the destination for 15% of the flights from SFO and 36% of flights from Oakland and San Jose. High speed rail will reduce the need for short-haul commuter flights and provide greater ability for SFO to accommodate international and long-haul domestic flights.”

Rosanne Foust, President and CEO, San Mateo Economic Development Association: “When you consider the number of start up companies springing up in the Caltrain Corridor between San Francisco and San Jose, it becomes apparent that we must invest in the corridor if we are to maintain the economic vitality of our region and state.”

 SACRAMENTO: The nonpartisan California Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) indicated state and local economies would suffer if California’s high-speed rail project stalls before it ever gets started.

That conclusion is drawn from the LAO’s review of a statewide ballot measure filed in January by Senator Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale). The measure would prevent the sale of high-speed rail bonds passed by voters in 2008 (Proposition 1a), effectively killing the project. The measure has not yet been cleared for signature gathering.

According to the LAO review, the LaMalfa measure would result in “reductions in state and local tax revenues.”  The review was released last week.

“It is common knowledge that investment in infrastructure projects leads to job creation and economic activity resulting from construction,” said Jim Earp, Executive Director, California Alliance for Jobs. “But there is also a ripple or multiplier effect that extends to state and local economies through income and sales taxes generated from the project.

“High-speed rail will create jobs and economic activity immediately,” continued Earp, “both of which are badly needed in California, and especially in the Central Valley which still faces unemployment rates that are significantly higher than the state average.”

The LAO’s findings comport with a January 2012 study from the College of William and Mary analyzing the short- and long-term effects of public infrastructure spending on the U.S. economy. The study concluded that over twenty years, $1.00 of government investment spending on “transportation and power” projects results in about $1.42 in state and local tax revenues and another $2.83 in federal tax revenues.

Initial construction of high-speed rail, set to begin in the Central Valley, requires the sale of $2.7 billion in Prop. 1a funds. That initial leg also is set to receive approximately $3.3 billion in federal matching funds.

Thus, if the California high-speed rail project broke ground this year, spending an initial public investment of approximately $6.0 billion, that investment could return an estimated $8.52 billion in state and local tax revenues by 2032.

Concluded Earp, “This is another nail in the coffin for a measure that appears to be going nowhere fast. The Governor is committed to this project, and the revised business plan that will be unveiled shortly will reflect changes that will help us continue to move high speed rail forward.”

The ballot measure has not yet been cleared for signature gathering.

The California Alliance for Jobs represents more than 2,000 heavy construction companies and 80,000 union construction workers from Kern County to the Oregon border. The Alliance advocates responsible investment in public infrastructure projects to help build a secure future for all Californians.

The radio spot is narrated by political satirist Will Durst who reminds Californians about the importance of having vision, creating jobs and building “something momentous for our future generation.”

“The high-speed rail project is one of those transformative projects that will have as much of an impact on California and its economy as the railroads and the State Water Project,” said Executive Director Jim Earp. “It will produce thousands of jobs, boost the economy, provide a greener and faster mode of transportation and will help California meet its growing transportation needs.”

The radio advertisement is running several times a day on 15 stations in Sacramento and the Bay Area and is expected to reach 2.6 million people by Sunday.  To listen to the radio spot, click here. A full transcript of the radio spot can be viewed here.

About California Alliance for Jobs

The Alliance is a non-profit organization that promotes responsible investment in public infrastructure to help build a secure future for all Californians.  For more information on the Alliance, visit www.rebuildca.org.

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“The auditor brings up valid issues. We believe that with the changes Governor Brown has implemented at the High-Speed Rail Authority, he has already set the wheels in motion to address many of the issues raised by this audit.

Nothing in this report or any of the other criticisms raised so far remove the viability of high-speed rail in California.

The benefits of high-speed rail are clear. It will help move our population in the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly way. It will connect our economic centers, creating economic growth between regions that doesn’t exist today. High-speed rail will generate tens of thousands of jobs immediately, bring paychecks to many who are currently unemployed and will relieve our congested roadways.

High-speed rail must be part of our state’s vision. Our focus now should be on the best way to accomplish this critical transportation project.”

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The California Alliance for Jobs represents more than 2,000 heavy construction companies and 80,000 union construction workers from Kern County to the Oregon border. The Alliance advocates responsible investment in public infrastructure projects to help build a secure future for all Californians.

“We applaud Governor Brown’s vision for California’s future and the leadership he is demonstrating in getting us there. The Governor understands well the vital link between the Golden State’s prosperity and bold, innovative transportation and water infrastructure projects.

“Now more than ever we need to get real about the challenges facing California and support smart solutions that will create jobs, strengthen our economy and improve our quality of life. High-speed rail is one such solution. The Governor’s focus on building high-speed rail better and faster will create thousands of much needed jobs, reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, and provide vital connectivity throughout the state.

“We cannot afford to let shortsightedness or politics dictate our future.  Forward-thinking projects like high-speed rail offer tremendous environmental, economic and transportation benefits that are well worth the investment, not only now but for future generations.

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The California Alliance for Jobs represents more than 2,000 heavy construction companies and 80,000 union construction workers from Kern County to the Oregon border. The Alliance advocates responsible investment in public infrastructure projects to help build a secure future for all Californians.

“The nomination of Dan Richard as the new chairman of the High Speed Rail Authority is another strong signal that the Brown Administration is rebooting the effort to build high speed rail in California better, faster and cheaper. Dan Richard has the experience and know-how to make this job-creating project happen, and will provide the leadership needed to help the Authority navigate what is clearly a challenging path.”

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The California Alliance for Jobs represents more than 2,000 heavy construction companies and 80,000 union construction workers from Kern County to the Oregon border. The Alliance advocates responsible investment in public infrastructure projects to help build a secure future for all Californians.