The drumbeat of bad news on the high-cost rail fiasco just keeps getting louder to the point where the Legislature may shift into opaque mode going forward. From ABC 10 yesterday:
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California’s High-Speed Rail Board of Directors approved a settlement costing more than half a billion dollars, a move that comes as lawmakers debate how transparent the long-delayed and over-budget project should be.
During a January meeting, the High-Speed Rail Authority’s board of directors approved more than $500 million to settle a dispute with a company contracted to design portions of the project. The settlement was approved as a change order, meaning it involved changes within an original contract, and the amount was decided during a closed session meeting.
“Negotiate and finalize an appropriate settlement change order with DFJB up to an amount of $537.3 million,” said Adam Brezine, chief counsel for the High Speed Rail Authority.
I can’t help but think that number is probably right around what we are short to do the Broadway grade separation. Hundreds of millions flying out the door due to incompetence. And the going forward solution?
Citing those delays and concerns, (Assemblywoman Lori) Wilson introduced Assembly Bill 1608, which would provide additional tools for the Office of the Inspector General to conduct audits of the high-speed rail project.
However, the bill includes language that would prohibit the inspector general from making a report public if it determines the report would, in part, “reveal weaknesses that could be exploited by individuals.”
Wilson says she is open to amendments or clarifications, and that “weaknesses” is a standard audit term. Audits exist to find weaknesses and there are plenty to choose from on high-cost rail. Let’s air the dirty laundry so we can stop bleeding. That’s a change order I can live with.
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