David Castellon

dcastell@visaliatimesdelta.com

California’s Joint Legislative Audit Committee has rejected state Sen. Andy Vidak’s request to audit the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s internal process for estimating the costs to build the controversial bullet train line.

Vidak, R-Hanford, whose district includes part of Tulare County, said in a press release that he requested the audit after reading a Los Angeles Times article that claimed the authority kept secret for two years a report showing costs overruns for the project to build a high-speed rail line from San Francisco to Los Angeles.

That route would run through the south Valley, including a portion of southwest Tulare County.

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In a press release, Vidak cited about $9 billion in discrepancies between the estimated and actual costs of the project.

“The High- Speed Rail project is the most expensive megaproject proposed in the history of California and the nation. Scientists, engineers and tunneling experts all confirm that high-speed rail will be behind schedule and over budget, “Vidak said in a written statement. “Taxpayers deserve to know what the actual costs are likely to be and the best way to find out is to let the state auditor, who is independent of party politics, do her job.”

Ten of the 13 members of the audit committee, comprised of state Senate and Assembly members, voted on Vidak’s proposal, with seven no votes all cast by Democrats, while Republicans cast the yes votes, Vidak reported.

— David Castellon