California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed a bill to change the high-speed rail measure on the November ballot in the US.
The new Bill AB 3034 replaces proposition 1 with proposition 1A on the November ballot. This legislation adds more specific taxpayer protections and financial guidelines to the plan, which calls for a 700-mile high-speed rail system between San Francisco and Southern California.
Schwarzenegger signed the bill to encourage voter approval on the rail measures, which he wants placed on the November general election ballot.
These measures will give all high speed rail corridors an equal opportunity to compete for a share of the $9bn bond that the bill would provide. The proposition will also provide $950m for improvements in current rail services.
In a statement on his website, Governor Schwarzenegger said that Californians deserved the opportunity to vote on a high-speed rail proposition that includes taxpayer protections and financial guidelines.
"With these technical changes, voters can now be assured that if the bond is approved, high speed rail would be built as planned and with fiscal controls ensuring financial accountability," he said.
By Daniel Garrun
