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1. Small businesses invited to high-speed rail networking event at CSUB

   By THE BAKERSFIELD CALIFORNIAN

   Wednesday, May 16 2012 02:28 PM

   The California High-Speed Rail Authority has invited businesses to a "Meet-the-Primes" networking event Thursday at Cal State Bakersfield.

   The event is intended to give small or disadvantaged businesses and potential subcontractors hoping to participate in the project an opportunity to introduce themselves to the five pre-qualified design-build contractors expected to bid on the proposed system's initial construction segment, planned to begin later this year.

   Among officials expected to speak at the event are the project's vice chairman, Tom Richards, and acting CEO Tom Fellenz.

   Event registration is set for 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. at CSUB's Icardo Center, 9001 Stockdale Highway. A program and presentation is scheduled for 8:30 to 10 a.m., followed by a networking event running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

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2. High-speed rail meetings coming to Kern County

   The California High-Speed Rail Authority has scheduled three public information meetings in Kern County next week.

3. Obama administration tells California it's time to vote on high-speed rail

   U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood warned the California Legislature Thursday that the Obama administration will not wait until fall for a vote on high-speed rail, urging its approval in a budget vote next month.

4. Fresno County supervisors tone down criticism of high-speed rail

   Fresno County supervisors dialed back their recent criticism of California's bullet train, agreeing Tuesday to send a letter of conditional support for the venture to the state High-Speed Rail Authority.

5. High-speed rail board approves Merced-Fresno environmental impact report

   The California High-Speed Rail Authority on Thursday approved two resolutions certifying the environmental impact report for its proposed Merced-Fresno section, and formally approving the project.

6. Businessman commits $1 billion for high-speed rail

   One frequent criticism of the California High-Speed Rail Authority is the lack of private-investment interest in its proposed train system.

7. For Valley GOP candidates, high-speed rail is top enemy

   For Republican candidates this election season, high-speed rail is Enemy No. 1 -- or had better be.

9. Bullet train's low operating costs are 'elephant in room,' experts say

   By hitting the reset button, Gov. Jerry Brown bought some time for the embattled California high-speed rail plan.

10. Taft opposes high-speed rail despite distance to proposed tracks

    Taft has added its name to the list of local governments against California High-Speed Rail plans -- but unlike many of the rest, it's not because construction would disrupt local churches, businesses or, for that matter, oil fields.

11. Congress poised to reject Calif. high-speed rail funding

    WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration sought $1 billion for high-speed rail next year; Congress is on track to provide zip.

12. City mulls compromise, 'purple' high-speed rail route through downtown

    California High-Speed Rail officials have proposed a compromise route through downtown Bakersfield that would spare some local landmarks but require demolishing facilities including a homeless shelter on East Truxtun Avenue.

13. High speed rail's new math: $30 billion less for a train to L.A.

    The California High-Speed Rail Authority on Monday unveiled a new business plan slashing $30 billion from the price tag for connecting Anaheim and San Francisco.

14. High-speed rail planners focus on running trains to L.A. before Bay Area

    No final decision has been made, but high-speed rail planners are increasingly focused on Southern California as the most financially promising place to build the project's first operational segment.