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Norm's idea might be a good thing,
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It's not that easy, sir. While the benefits of a building a transportation system on this route, whether rail or highway, accrue almost 100% to Nevada, the costs accrue almost 100% to other states -- especially if you consider how much wealth Nevada drains from California in consumer dollars for which no actual product returns to California, and in inventory tax losses. The State of Nevada will very reasonably conclude that as it already has an Interstate Highway system being funded by federal money -- Nevada receives vastly more in highway funds than its citizens pay out with fuel taxes -- so why would it want to tax its citizens to build a railroad system? That would be like saving your allowance to buy a stuffed dog from Toys R Us when your millionaire grandmother already showers you with the entire inventory of F.A.O. Schwartz on every occasion, plus a pony, a puppy, and an exclusive party at Disneyland. <br /> <br />This is the fundamental flaw in a state-funded rail passenger scheme: it might work for INTRAstate purposes. But almost never for INTERstate purposes. Rarely are interstate routes of equal benefit to each state in accordance with the costs, and in any event, the states see must measure they money they would put into a rail passenger fund against what in many states is a bounty of free federal highway money that favors low-population density states at the expense of high-population density states. And in the case at hand, Nevada is already being subsidized by the state of California with the costs of I-15. Now why would it want to rain on its own parade? (Note to Gov. Schwarznegger: have you considered erecting a toll booth at Baker?) <br /> <br />It's quite fascinating to see the federal government suggest with a straight face that states build consortiums when in fact the federal government already IS a consortium of states. What would be the benefit to anyone of building a parallel and inferior consortium? Unless the actual agenda of the federal government is the satisfaction of some unstated ideological agenda? <br /> <br />OS
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