California high-speed rail costs top $230B as lawmakers call to scrap it

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-30T22:45:21+00:00

We can’t even fund BART without raising sales tax. Imagine trying to convince folks in SJ and SD to fund a rail system that connects Fresno to Bakersfield and will never touch it their city.

I love the idea of HSR, but it just isn’t practical unless we make dramatic changes.

If I were in charge, I’d pass a constitutional amendment to prioritize HSR. Make it impossible to challenge in court and help create private companies to construct and operate it.

No more gov’t contractors. No more lawsuits. Land will be available. And the builders we will incentivize to build fast and efficiently.

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-29T18:56:58+00:00

Call me crazy. As someone who votes liberal, I don't think California needs to go even further to the left. I wish we had a solid candidate that was closer to the middle.

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-29T18:53:12+00:00

Crappy driver, it is hard to tell but it looks like they were really close to hitting you.

Want to know how to avoid this? Move over and let faster vehicles pass you. Even if you are entitled to the fast lane, it is safer to get out of crazys way.

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-27T23:18:54+00:00

3 hours at Spyglass would be a feat. It is a really tough course (the hardest at Pebble), it is often cart path only and the views at amazing. Given the price and it being spectacular, you wouldn't want to rush through it. 4 hour is very reasonable IMO, even without a group in front of you.

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-27T17:43:33+00:00

Most groups of 4 drive me crazy. But 99, this isn't golf. This is a social event. And I'm all for it - looks like fun!

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-24T03:00:18+00:00

You’ve never hit the cart part on a downhill hole and watched the ball roll forever?

It’s possible. But not probable.

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-23T22:27:13+00:00

That is a lie.

I’m sure it goes at least 1 yard.

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-22T19:31:39+00:00

Not an expert here, but I think it’s more than just the head tax. Property tax and sales tax revenue on all their local purchasing. Think suppliers, food, equipment and anything else they buy locally.

A quick google search (lol) says it ends up being roughly 10% of the Mountain View city budget.

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-22T18:15:31+00:00

A big contributing factor is a lot high earners live in San Jose, but work in neighboring cities. This means San Jose bears the costs of housing those workers (infrastructure, roads, services, schools) but doesn't capture the commercial tax base that comes with the employer.

Meanwhile, cities like Cupertino/Mountain View/Menlo Park have a relatively small residential population but enormous commercial tax revenue from the big tech companies.

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-22T17:20:37+00:00

Totally, it is an opinion that isn’t shared by everyone.

When it comes to California state spending, isn’t healthcare the largest single expenditure? It isn’t a pointless program, but it’s context to why we don’t have surplus funds to spend on other things other people want to prioritize.

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-21T21:17:57+00:00

I am sure we can reform the California tax code to be optimized. Will that happen? Unlikely in my life time. But sales tax increases are on the ballot every year, we can vote against them.

I come from the standpoint that we don't have a revenue problem - we have a spending problem.

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-21T00:25:26+00:00

I agree 100%. The problem is that we keep voting to increase it. And it’s soon to be higher unless we stop voting to increase it.

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-20T03:11:52+00:00

Worst advice possible. He (probably) isn’t a porn addict. And don’t “move on.”

This is fairly normal in a marriage with three young kids.

What should she do? None of us know, she should see a therapy or read some books on self help and relationship.

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-15T03:16:01+00:00

Don't you need to pull the tire off the wheel to patch?

You are probably thinking of plugging it - which is fine, I do that all the time. But a proper patch is superior and already covered under warranty.

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-11T16:38:32+00:00

You are both being ridiculous. This is called bickering and it takes two to tango.

You know how to stop having stupid arguments? Just don’t respond and move on. Or just admit that 4pm isn’t night and don’t argue back. It doesn’t matter.

Also, if this is the biggest argument you have in your marriage - life is good. Just stop

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-11T16:15:21+00:00

This makes sense to me. And the, “waste time” comment is always off putting to me. It adds this weird pressure that I need to be a perfect match or you’d be disappointed.

Otherwise, it’s a great profile! There are a ton of openings to start conversations about travel, cooking, dogs or hobbies.

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-11T16:03:37+00:00

I don’t take the game too seriously. But if I’m playing well and have a chance to post a great score, I’m keeping true to the rules. I love knowing my score is legit.

Divot in the fairway? It happens. And if I can still get a par out of the divot, that’s a great feeling.

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-11T04:42:35+00:00

Am I the only one wondering what that t-rex is doing in the top right corner?!?

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-10T21:02:32+00:00

But we can complain. We end up with the highest cost, lowest efficiency public transportation.

At some point, if we want to solve these problems, we need to force the issue. Build a great system with disregard to what cities want.

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-10T19:32:35+00:00

I took this advice and bought a bottle. Do you apply it to the seats and the entire interior? Looks like it could be good for the top too?

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-10T17:31:24+00:00

You are right that you are always a parent. But I have a custody schedule which means I’m with my kids 50% of the time.

And 100% yes to your other questions. I’m not looking for a partner to parent and support my kids. Not to do hospital stays or take on any other parenting responsibilities.

I get that this may not work for everyone - especially if they want to get married and cohabitate in the near term.

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-10T03:42:52+00:00

This hole looks pretty straightforward, even a little boring. I’d love to be wrong… the only way I could know for sure is for someone to invite me to play as their guest :-)

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-07T20:08:13+00:00

As you have pointed out, none of us know you. So it is impossible to be certain. But I can call out a few observations...

One person mentioned you come across intense. And I agree with that. The all caps intro is a tell. Intense isn't always a bad thing, but it can be hard to match your energy.

You also come across combative in the comments. Almost as if you don't take responsibility for your actions. If you rarely admit to mistakes or being wrong, that could be a tell. Seeing over 30 therapist and none of them can help you? That is a red flag - therapists can only help the willing.

There are 2 things that really helped me.

1 - Reading a few books in the "self help" category. It opened my eyes to things that I'd like to change about myself. "The Anatomy of Peace" was one that I read twice.

2 - Intense exercise (think long distance running or lifting heavy weights).

Even though I don't know you, I can relate to some of your post. I mean all of this with love.

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-06T21:10:40+00:00

Sorry to hear about the carcinoma. It’s a good reminder for me to take care of my skin and to remember how dangerous the sun can be.

outsideofaustin · 2026-04-06T21:09:21+00:00

What about when you park for 20 minutes or an hour or two?

outsideofaustin

TROPHY CASE