But your logic applies to all projects.  That same mentality would apply to budget and in the end the government would be even less cohesive.  It has literally already happened before because the two sides couldn't agree on a budget.

But your logic applies to all projects.  That same mentality would apply to budget and in the end the government would be even less cohesive.  It has literally already happened before because the two sides couldn't agree on a budget.

It applies to all projects that don't meet stated objectives and cost/benefit goals.

If that describes all projects, then our government needs to do a better (more honest) job at estimating things that involve our tax dollars.  As it stands, they know they can lie to get the project approved, and then keep taking more and more money and time because "that's how we always do it".

You can't get anyone to change if you have zero accountability.

Dimwit.

You do realize that when you say "dimwit", you negate everything you said before? Otherwise, I do agree with what you said because it's much harder to take a tax or fee away once the government puts it into place.

Shhhhh!  I'm trolling the troll......   

It applies to all projects that don't meet stated objectives and cost/benefit goals.

If that describes all projects, then our government needs to do a better (more honest) job at estimating things that involve our tax dollars.  As it stands, they know they can lie to get the project approved, and then keep taking more and more money and time because "that's how we always do it".

You can't get anyone to change if you have zero accountability.

Dimwit.

I'll be glad to hold him down for you!

Being in the .gov side I just want to add that there are some SUPER aggressive, shady, smart, whatever contractors out there.  As a former consulting design engineer, it as common place to have contractors bid low and then change order, run excuses for more time, etc to get the project and then get their money back.  It's just risen to a WHOLE new level now in the construction industry.  That and a situation were the litigation side tends to favor the contractor, so that only emboldens the contractor even more to try stuff.  On top of that, are government reps agreeing to contractor calls for additional compensation, time, etc in order go avoid conflict/litigation.  On a current job, where the contractor put in for a huge change for additional and I felt that the contract documents were clear that the contract documents included the work that they contractor was claiming.  The legal counsel and construction manager both felt that we would lose in litigation, so they just rolled over and negotiated a change.  Well, that also opened up the door to a bunch of other requests for change. . .

Anyways, NOT AT ALL defending the government side in rail, but I have also heard that the contractor(s) have been pressing for and getting a bunch of changes that I wouldn't see warranted.  This is especially when you have big mainland JVs or LLCs coming in that don't care if they burn bridges.

Contractor "abuse" of the customer is especially rampant in Hawaii.  I mean, for construction, who else are you going to get?  And if the union has anything to say, one contractor isn't about to steal a government construction gig from another "brother" contractor over a dispute.  They stick together, so next time the customer can't switch construction crews mid-project.

It applies to all projects that don't meet stated objectives and cost/benefit goals.

If that describes all projects, then our government needs to do a better (more honest) job at estimating things that involve our tax dollars.  As it stands, they know they can lie to get the project approved, and then keep taking more and more money and time because "that's how we always do it".

You can't get anyone to change if you have zero accountability.

Dimwit.

So...social security, medicare, the "wall",  all the wars and millions of other key government programs should all be stopped.  Am I getting this right? All those I listed went far past their scope and budget.  Kill everything that isn't perfect is the flapp plan.

Ahh, but Hawaii's rail system will prove the article wrong.  It is going to be great because the Mayor and his cronies said so 5 years ago.

Ahh, but Hawaii's rail system will prove the article wrong.  It is going to be great because the Mayor and his cronies said so 5 years ago.

Here is the interview with the new interin CEO of HART:

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/hawaii/articles/2017-05-18/honolulu-rail-officials-debate-funding-feds-want-details

"Murthy and the rail project's board discussed how the project will run out of money in January without an influx of cash."

I heard something about the board is pursuing City issued bonds.  Something like $350 Mil that will extend the "run out of money" date to summer 2018.  So $350 Mil extends the project 6 months?