FRESNO (KMJ) — Assemblyman Jim Patterson’s call for an emergency audit of California’s High Speed Rail Authority has been thrown out, but the local lawmaker wants to continue the fight.
“This is getting to a point where it almost appears like a cover-up for political purposes.”
The initial request was made earlier this month (click here to read more). The California legislature is currently in recess, but there is a process to approve the auditor on an emergency basis. However, the Chair of the Legislative Audit Committee Al Muratsuchi denied that request.
“There is ample evidence disclosed simply in the last two or three months of significant problems inside the High Speed Rail Authority and I would think that members of the legislature would want to do the right thing and be the watchdogs over a billion dollar project that has so many ramifications for the State of California,” added Patterson.
The local representative said his concern stems from recent reports that the authority is $1.7 billion over budget and seven years behind schedule. He revealed his next step is to go to the full Joint Committee on Legislative Audit when the legislature itself reconvenes in the new year, and use witnesses and evidence to make his case.
“There was an audit in 2010 that discovered all of the kinds of problems that we’re seeing presently right now. There was a follow up audit in 2012 that repeated the same kind of warnings.
“Every audit since then that has been requested has been denied. I think there is ample evidence that the pathway of this project is very, very troubled and that an audit, independent, non-partisan, is the appropriate way to go.”
In a statement to KMJ News, the Authority’s Lisa Marie Alley said that it embraces transparency.
“The California High-Speed Rail Authority reports all aspects of program delivery monthly via series of reports for the Finance and Audit Committee. In addition, we are required to report regularly to the Legislature via project update reports and business plans.
“Our next business plan, due in 2018, will detail all issues pertaining to cost and schedule.”
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
