The California High-Speed Rail Authority is taking some heat for its plans to hire disadvantaged people to work on the $68-billion dollar bullet train project.
Although the Rail Authority said its intent is to create thousands of jobs in California, Assemblyman Brian Jones (R-Santee) says jobs should go to those who not only apply for them but have the skill to do what's required.
In an interview with Fox 11 investigative producer Heidi Cuda, Jones said the bullet-train project is becoming a "government works project."
"It's the Central Valley destruction project," he said. "It's not what Californians voted for, there's nothing efficient about it. And the latest plan, to hire homeless people and convicted felons is evidence of that."
The Rail Authority said it's hoping to make a dent in the high unemployment in the Central Valley and to help give unskilled workers job training.
Thursday, June 13 2013 10:05 PM EDT2013-06-14 02:05:22 GMT
The Surface Transportation Board gave the nod today for California High-Speed Rail Authority to start building the initial 65 miles of the bullet train project from Merced to Fresno.
The Surface Transportation Board gave the nod today for California High-Speed Rail Authority to start building the initial 65 miles of the bullet train project from Merced to Fresno.
Thursday, June 13 2013 1:00 AM EDT2013-06-13 05:00:12 GMT
[VIEW PHOTO GALLERY] This week on Wednesday's Child, we are revisiting a sister set who, while not close in age, are close at heart. Selena was born in 1995 and Breyanna in 2002.
[VIEW PHOTO GALLERY] This week on Wednesday's Child, we are revisiting a sister set who, while not close in age, are close at heart. Selena was born in 1995 and Breyanna in 2002.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 9:40 PM EDT2013-06-13 01:40:10 GMT
Lawmakers requested answers regarding bonuses tied to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge's new east span.
More than a dozen state lawmakers want answers. Addressing a letter to the chairman of the Toll Bridge Program Oversight Committee, lawmakers requested detailed answers regarding bonuses tied to the Labor Day opening of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge's new east span.
Tuesday, June 11 2013 9:47 PM EDT2013-06-12 01:47:23 GMT
The buzz words in the state capitol today: fiscal responsibility. Those words came out of the mouths of Democratic lawmakers, who celebrated a budget deal.
The buzz words in the state capitol today: fiscal responsibility. Those words came out of the mouths of Democratic lawmakers, who celebrated a budget deal with the Governor today in Sacramento.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:46 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:46:32 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate cancellations and delays on the Long Island Rail Road for the Tuesday evening rush. The railroad has canceled 21 trains that normally leave Penn Station between 3:27 and 7:01 p.m.
Riders should anticipate cancellations and delays on the Long Island Rail Road for the Tuesday evening rush. The railroad has canceled 21 trains that normally leave Penn Station between 3:27 and 7:01 p.m.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:32:12 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:05:09 GMT
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 1:18 PM EDT2013-06-18 17:18:24 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:04 GMT
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
Wednesday, June 12 2013 9:40 PM EDT2013-06-13 01:40:10 GMT
Lawmakers requested answers regarding bonuses tied to the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge's new east span.
More than a dozen state lawmakers want answers. Addressing a letter to the chairman of the Toll Bridge Program Oversight Committee, lawmakers requested detailed answers regarding bonuses tied to the Labor Day opening of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge's new east span.
Tuesday, June 11 2013 9:47 PM EDT2013-06-12 01:47:23 GMT
The buzz words in the state capitol today: fiscal responsibility. Those words came out of the mouths of Democratic lawmakers, who celebrated a budget deal.
The buzz words in the state capitol today: fiscal responsibility. Those words came out of the mouths of Democratic lawmakers, who celebrated a budget deal with the Governor today in Sacramento.
Tuesday, June 11 2013 4:03 PM EDT2013-06-11 20:03:26 GMT
Six days after the F.B.I. raided his office, California state Senator Ron Calderon made his first public statement.
Six days after the F.B.I. raided his office, California state Senator Ron Calderon (D-Montebello) made his first public statement. Calderon is the focus of a corruption investigation, and for the last week, attorney Mark Geragos has been speaking for him.
Monday, June 3 2013 11:03 PM EDT2013-06-04 03:03:46 GMT
Every year, the California Chamber of Commerce releases its list of bills it deems "job killers," legislation it says will decimate economic growth in California.
Every year, the California Chamber of Commerce releases its list of bills it deems "job killers," legislation it says will decimate economic growth in California.
Monday, April 22 2013 9:58 PM EDT2013-04-23 01:58:17 GMT
In December 2010, under a then, new state law, parents united in the city of Compton and signed a petition for change at a failing elementary school. The move was part of California's "Parent Trigger" law.
In December 2010, under a then, new state law, parents united in the city of Compton and signed a petition for change at a failing elementary school. The move was part of California's "Parent Trigger" law.
Heidi Cuda, FOX 11 Investigative Producer
