[J Church]

It's also important to note that the vote was shelved two years ago by a squabble with democratic legislators from San Jose

Not quite. In 2003 we were in the depths of the recession--that's why it was delayed from 2004. The alignment issue hasn't had any impact on timing and as far as I know has drawn little attention from legislators. Now, when the Authority finally approves Altamont--then you'll see South Bay pols squabbling.

My position on CAHSR is that it really is inevitable--as on global warming, the U.S. may lag the rest of the world, but eventually we'll catch up--and the longer we delay, the more we're going to have to pay. I'd say that Arnold was being penny-wise but pound-foolish, except the highway bonds proved he's not even the former.