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On Oct. 13, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed accountability measures in the 2010-2011 state budget that would have required the California High Speed Rail Authority to meet several benchmarks by Feb. 1, 2011, in order to continue to receive state funding.

The budget passed by the California Legislature would have required the authority to: analyze whether the train system can be operated without a public subsidy; update its financial plan with alternative funding and construction scenarios, including reliable ridership and fare projections; provide a detailed account of its community outreach efforts; and issue a report on how it plans to address management deficiencies highlighted by the Bureau of State Audits.

“While the Administration supports these reporting requirements, making the appropriation contingent upon receipt and approval of this report by the Legislature could result in project delays, jeopardize the authority’s ability to meet already tight federal deadlines and result in increased state costs,” Schwarzenegger said in his veto message.

Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), who supported the accountability requirements, called the veto “regrettable.”

“The high-speed rail authority desperately needs to rebuild its credibility and public support,” he said in a prepared statement. “A failure to require accountability measures only makes that task more difficult.”