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A new report from the Office of the Inspector General has blown the lid off the California high-speed rail project, revealing a staggering amount of wasteful and unallowable spending by consultants. We're talking about first-class plane tickets, Uber Black rides, and trips to the escape room, all on your dime. The report highlights the lack of oversight and accountability in the project, with the inspector general finding that the authority failed to properly review and approve travel expenses, resulting in over $2 million in questionable payments.

The high-speed rail project has been plagued by financial issues, with the inspector general warning that it could run out of money as soon as December 2027. Despite receiving a billion dollars a year from cap and trade money, the project has yet to make any significant progress. The original vision of a Los Angeles to San Francisco high-speed rail is now expected to cost between $126 billion to $231 billion, with no clear plan for completion.

The report also sheds light on the cozy relationship between the high-speed rail authority and the consultants, with the authority often failing to question costs or require proof of documentation. The inspector general identified $81,000 in expenses that were reimbursed but not allowed under state law, including flight and rideshare upgrades. This is just the tip of the iceberg, and we're just starting to scratch the surface of the corruption and incompetence that's been going on behind the scenes.

Tune in to this episode to hear more about the shocking findings of the report and how the high-speed rail project is wasting your tax dollars. We'll also be discussing the economic impact of the Tijuana River sewage crisis and how it's affecting businesses and residents in Imperial Beach. Join us for a lively discussion and don't miss out on the latest updates on these important issues.

A new report from the Office of the Inspector General has blown the lid off the California high-speed rail project, revealing a staggering amount of wasteful and unallowable spending by consultants. We're talking about first-class plane tickets, Uber Black rides, and trips to the escape room, all on your dime. The report highlights the lack of oversight and accountability in the project, with the inspector general finding that the authority failed to properly review and approve travel expenses, resulting in over $2 million in questionable payments.The high-speed rail project has been plagued by financial issues, with the inspector general warning that it could run out of money as soon as December 2027. Despite receiving a billion dollars a year from cap and trade money, the project has yet to make any significant progress. The original vision of a Los Angeles to San Francisco high-speed rail is now expected to cost between $126 billion to $231 billion, with no clear plan for completion.The report also sheds light on the cozy relationship between the high-speed rail authority and the consultants, with the authority often failing to question costs or require proof of documentation. The inspector general identified $81,000 in expenses that were reimbursed but not allowed under state law, including flight and rideshare upgrades. This is just the tip of the iceberg, and we're just starting to scratch the surface of the corruption and incompetence that's been going on behind the scenes.Tune in to this episode to hear more about the shocking findings of the report and how the high-speed rail project is wasting your tax dollars. We'll also be discussing the economic impact of the Tijuana River sewage crisis and how it's affecting businesses and residents in Imperial Beach. Join us for a lively discussion and don't miss out on the latest updates on these important issues.

OC Native John Phillips brings wit, political connections and insight to “The John Phillips Show”. Phillips began his radio career as the youngest major-market radio talk show host in the country. He is also CNN political commentator, a columnist for The Orange County Register and makes regular appearances on cable news.

John was formerly a sports anchor and executive producer for “McIntyre in the Morning”, producer for “The Al Rantel Show”, news writer for the KNX Morning News with Frank Mottek and Gail Eichenthal, and a guest host on virtually every show ever cancelled by KABC.

Though in his mid-thirties he is a ten-year veteran of KABC

John’s interests: The Angels, Palm Springs, movies, cruises, home Improvement and airline travel.

OC Native John Phillips brings wit, political connections and insight to “The John Phillips Show”. Phillips began his radio career as the youngest major-market radio talk show host in the country. He is also CNN political commentator, a columnist for The Orange County Register and makes regular appearances on cable news.
John was formerly a sports anchor and executive producer for “McIntyre in the Morning”, producer for “The Al Rantel Show”, news writer for the KNX Morning News with Frank Mottek and Gail Eichenthal, and a guest host on virtually every show ever cancelled by KABC.
Though in his mid-thirties he is a ten-year veteran of KABC
John’s interests: The Angels, Palm Springs, movies, cruises, home Improvement and airline travel.

The John Phillips Show

The John Phillips Show delivers sharp wit, insider political analysis, and unfiltered takes on the news of the day. A longtime radio host and columnist, John brings his deep industry connections and years of experience to every episode—breaking down politics, culture, and current events with a mix of humor and insight. Whether he's diving into California issues or national headlines, John keeps it smart, engaging, and always entertaining.

The John Phillips Show delivers sharp wit, insider political analysis, and unfiltered takes on the news of the day. A longtime radio host and columnist, John brings his deep industry connections and years of experience to every episode&mdash;breaking down politics, culture, and current events with a mix of humor and insight. Whether he's diving into California issues or national headlines, John keeps it smart, engaging, and always entertaining.

How Consultants Are Milking California's High-Speed Rail 

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/a7b0bd27-d748-4fbe-ab3b-a6fa0049bcf6/clips/ae514fcf-4e20-4efd-a9fa-b4c701846b16/transcript