Posts From Anthony Pignataro
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Anthony Pignataro
Will High Speed Rail Ever Get on Track?
AUG. 19, 2010 Last month I had the privilege of riding the best train in California. Indeed, it’s perhaps the best in the Lower 48. This train is efficient, safe and even fun to ride. At no time during my
Read MoreState: a sea of cluelessness
AUGUST 13, 2010 Earlier this week I beat up on the California High Speed Rail Authority for failing to provide a coherent number of the number of contractors working for it. While this is indeed a stunning example of a
Read MoreConstructive Feedback? What's That?
AUG. 5, 2010 There are many unanswered questions floating around the state’s proposed bullet train plan. How many tens of billions of dollars will it eventually cost? Where will the money come from? Exactly how many people will ride it
Read MoreOld LAO Wisdom
JULY 30, 2010 Oh, what a difference six years makes. We were cleaning out our conference room the other day, going through stacks of old government reports and think tank studies when we found a copy of the Legislative Analyst’s
Read MoreNot talking about Fort Ross
JULY 23, 2010 Normally a rundown of the people who won’t comment for a story isn’t all that interesting to read. But in this case – another installment in the quest to find out who knew what in the matter
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No more talk, talk, talk!
JULY 16, 2010 First the awful news. But don’t worry – we’ll get to the ugly stuff later… That’s right, folks: the state Employment Development Department has put out its latest monthly jobs report, and the unemployment situation – as
Read MoreNo sex at Fort Ross
JULY 7, 2010 The problem is that there’s no sex in this story. It’s got just about everything else – crime, international intrigue, a mysterious Russian billionaire who likes to acquire pricey antiquities, craven politicians, a bankrupt historic state park
Read MoreA Reagan holiday?
JULY 4, 2010 Ronald Reagan had a “humble background” but “worked throughout his life serving freedom and advancing the public good.” He “served with honor and distinction” for eight years as U.S. president. His “commitment to the nation’s children helped
Read MoreFollow the (Recycling) Money
JUNE 25, 2010 “It is reprehensible that anyone would use taxpayer money for anything other than its intended purpose.” That’s Aaron McLear, spokesman for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, speaking to the Los Angeles Times about its revelation that state-issued welfare debit
Read MoreUneasy Riders
JUNE 18, 2010 The key is how many will ride the train. That’s all: how many people, say, 15 or 20 years from now, will buy a ticket for the California High Speed Rail train. You can’t figure out how
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