We understand the idea of organized labor. It can be a high calling to stand in solidarity for better pay, working conditions and respect from an employer. We also like the idea that organized labor can be part of the solution during tough times.
That's why we were sorry to see that Washington's largest union of state employees is suing Gov. Chris Gregoire for proposing a hold on pay raises to help balance the state's budget.
This state budget -- heck, this era -- is an extraordinary time where one of society's goals ought to be keeping as many people working as possible. The philosophical question in business and government is clear: Are people willing to forgo a pay raise or even take a cut in pay in order for a colleague to remain on the job?
The governor's budget will likely already lead to the layoff of about 2,600 workers. That number would grow if pay raises were added.
We're not keen on this budget -- not even the governor is happy about the situation. But the state's projected deficit cannot be magically wished away. Add to one program, there will be cuts in another. The math is the math.
But transportation officials say that California's high-speed rail project seems to be on a fast track to a hefty federal contribution - perhaps as much as $15 billion to $20 billion.
That optimism in the face of a dire economic outlook is the product of the priorities of President-elect Barack Obama's administration; the likelihood of a big federal infrastructure investment; growing concern over climate change; the volatility of gas prices; Californians' backing of the $10 billion high-speed rail bond measure and strong support for the project from the state's potent congressional delegation, including Sen. Dianne Feinstein and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
"It seems like the stars are aligned," said Rod Diridon of San Jose, a member of the High Speed Rail Authority.
Building the San Francisco-to-Los Angeles and Anaheim line that will be the spine of the system will cost between $32.8 billion and $33.6 billion, according to the High Speed Rail Authority's business report. Extensions built later would cost another $12 billion. In addition to the $10 billion from state bond sales, the authority is counting on $12 billion to $16 billion in federal funds plus $6.5 billion to $7.5 billion in private investment and $2 billion to $3 billion in local contributions.
Critics, during the campaign against state Proposition 1A, expressed skepticism about the plan's ability to attract federal funding during a recession. While most opponents now acknowledge that high-speed rail may capture billions from the new administration, they're still skeptical about the project's feasibility.
"So what if we get $12 (billion) to $15 billion? It still leaves us billions short," said Adrian Moore, vice president of research for the libertarian Reason Foundation, which opposed November's high-speed rail bond. "It's still ridiculous to assert that the private sector is slathering to invest in this. They should just ask for the whole $35 billion."
Federal funds could flow from four sources, according to transportation officials - an economic stimulus package, a high-speed rail bill, the Amtrak funding bill and the upcoming transportation spending plan.
The size of the economic stimulus package anticipated from the Obama administration is a mystery but it is expected to involve hundreds of billions of dollars and stress investment in public works projects. While the high-speed rail project meets that qualification, it's still in the engineering and planning stages and construction isn't set to begin until 2012. The stimulus package is expected to favor projects that can start construction quickly, probably in the next two years.
Police say an elderly man is in critical condition after being robbed and beaten outside of a College Park church just before midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. Prince George's County police say the 69-year-old man was found in the parking lot of Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. They say he was beaten with a baseball bat and had severe facial injuries. An archdiocese spokeswoman says the man had dropped his wife off for choir practice and was parking his car in the dark lot when the robber approached him. The man was taken to a hospital, where he's in critical condition. Police are searching for the suspected robber, who took the victim's wallet.
