Can One Judge Stop California From Being Railroaded?

◼ Does the Rule of Law matter or is it an antiquated concept in this day and age? Tom Del Beccaro/Forbes

After all, our President regularly violates the separation of powers by unilaterally rewriting laws. So it comes with some surprise when a judge stands up to California’s executive branch and puts the brakes on California’s High Speed Rail project by, of all things, requiring government to follow the Rule of Law. Surprise or not, it could be an important test case for years to come.

...California’s Governor, its legislature, bureaucrats and Attorney General want the High Speed rail built right away. The project is the crown jewel destined to satisfy Governor Jerry Brown’s edifice complex – that uncontrollable desire of politicians to have something built on their watch, regardless of the cost, for which they can claim credit.

In their rush to get to the train station, however, California government officials chose to disregard the requirements of the law.