[pesto]

What California HSR needs is a thorough review by the state legislature and particularly the auditors. If that comes out with a clean bill of health, then public confidence could be restored. Otherwise, it will at least point out their strengths, weaknesses, potential over-runs and such in a relatively objective basis (Democrats hold a huge majority in the Ca. legislature). This can serve as a basis for modifying the existing plans.

I suspect that Southwest's main concern is the same as Sen. Lowenthal (D): that HSR will received heavy subsidies from the state and push them into losses.