Follow the Money: Who is Funding Prop 1A?

image
Published: 25 Oct, 2008
1 min read

Researches at the San Francisco Chronicle reported that proponents of Prop 1A, the bill that would allow bonds to be sold to finance a multi-billion dollar high speed rail link, have raised about $2 million for their cause.

While opponents to the bill have not yet created an official campaign association, they are resting on the idea that the proposed legislation is simply so ridiculous and poorly timed that there's no way a sane California electorate will let it pass.

While California faces one of the worst budget crises in recent history, official supporters of Prop 1A still contend that spending $10 billion-plus on a train is worth tax payer's money. But who are these people?

Compliments of the Chronicle:

"Nearly all of the campaign contributions have come from engineering andconstruction companies or organized labor groups that could benefitfinancially if the state moves ahead with plans to build an 800-milestatewide high-speed train system."

There you have it. The main fundraisers of this massively ill timed spending bill are, surprise surprise, the same people who will make a killing from it. Granted, who wouldn't want a cheap and quick trip to LA and back? The Amtrak service is unreliable and slow. Flying is a pain.

It really would be nice. But we just can't afford it.

You Might Also Like

Prisoner Wearing Virtual Reality Headset
California is Using Virtual Reality on People in Prison, and It's Working
In California, the birthplace of much of the world’s technology innovation, virtual reality is being used in an unexpected setting: inside prisons....
12 Jan, 2026
-
2 min read
inmate in cell.
California Prison Health Care Is Still Failing: Audit Exposes Dangerous Conditions Despite Billions in Funding
Job vacancies in prison and state hospital health care have grown even as California has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to fill medical and mental health positions, according to a new state audit....
08 Jan, 2026
-
5 min read
USPS trucks parked next to each other.
2026 Will See an Increase in Rejected Mail-In Ballots -- Here's Why
While the media has kept people’s focus on the Epstein files, Venezuela, or a potential invasion of Greenland, the United States Postal Service adopted a new rule that will have a broad impact on Americans – especially in an election year in which millions of people will vote by mail....
09 Jan, 2026
-
9 min read