While most of the substantial opposition to high-speed rail in California previously came from local government leaders and citizens, primarily in the Bay Area, Congressmen are now taking the issue to the entire country for debate. House Representative Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, introduced H.R. read more »
Blogs
Beyond Grassroots and Into Congress: California High-Speed Rail
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Rasputin's Tunnel?
First, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie cancelled the proposed intercity and suburban rail tunnel between New Jersey and Manhattan because of the financial obligations its out-of-control costs could impose on the state's taxpayers. Then he delayed the final decision, under pressure from Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood and other supporters of the tunnel. read more »
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Australian Local Governments Stop Forced Amalgamation
Local government consolidations are often proposed by a wide range of interests, often out of the belief that they will produce more efficient (less costly) governments. Much of the academic literature supports this view. However, the evidence indicates that material savings routinely fail to occur from such amalgamations. The claimed $300 million annual savings in Toronto's megacity quickly became higher costs and a larger bureaucracy. read more »
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The Myth of the Sustainable Public Budget
Nobel Laureate economist Paul Krugman caused a stir on ABC's This Week, expressing the following view to Christina Amanpour on the recommendations by the leadership of the US Debt Reduction Commission: read more »
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Miami Condo Price Implosion Continues
The National Association of Realtors has just published its quarterly median house prices and the trend continues downward in Miami. At the end of the third quarter, the median condominium price had dropped to $82,900 in Miami, about the same as the list price for a BMW-7 sedan. This places condominium prices at 77 percent below the 2007 second quarter median of $367,000. read more »
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HSR Just Doesn't Fit
According to many economists, including the well-respected Robert J. Samuelson, the federal government's effort to fund high-speed rail lines is like trying to fit a round peg into a square hole. If one really breaks down the numbers, the Obama administration's goals of reducing green house gas emissions, traffic congestion, and oil consumption with these rail lines are idealistic to say the least, and this idealism may cost states more than their budgets can handle right now. read more »
Governor Christie Cancels Under-Construction Tunnel in Unprecedented Move
New Jersey governor Chris Christie reaffirmed his decision to cancel the "access to the regional core" tunnel across the Hudson River from New Jersey to New York. Christie had suspended his previous decision pending discussion of alternatives with the US Department of Transportation. read more »
West Africa – Key to Feeding the Next 3 Billion?
Saturday October 16 marked my third day in Accra, Ghana representing AdFarm and Praxis Strategy Group at the National Food and Agriculture (FAGRO) show. We began the day with a deep dive into grower issues as panelist guests on an agriculture-focused radio program hosted by 90.1 Rite FM. read more »
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New York Political Leadership Forces Another Fare Hike
The New York Post editorialized (October 8) against what it called "Another TWU Fare Hike," blaming the union for the fares that will now rise to $2.50 for a ride. The editorial writer goes on to say of MTA chief Jay Walder, "It's not his fault that straphangers get whacked while the MTA's unionized workers -- whose blue collars come with fur trim -- don't have to make a single sacrifice to meet the MTA's shortfall." read more »
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African Farmers Hungry for Markets
The 30th World Food Day finds more hungry people on the planet than ever before. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations 1 billion people live in chronic hunger. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s official message on this year’s theme “United against Hunger” reflects today’s global reality. “For many people, today is not World Food Day. It is another No Food Day.” read more »
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