A report released Monday by the High-Speed Rail Authority reiterates the authority’s consistent argument: A tunnel and underground station will not work in San Jose. Business and neighborhood groups worry that the proposed elevated structure will be a huge and unsightly addition to the cityscape. What the report does not say — yet it is being discussed internally by HSRA officials — is that the city’s advocacy of a tunnel option could push the $98 billion high-speed rail line to take an alternative path.

San Jose has been unseated as the wealthiest U.S. metropolitan area, according to a slew of government data. The city relinquishes its throne to previously second-ranked Washington D.C., which had a typical household earning $84,523 in income. San Jose’s average household income dropped to $83,944 last year, according to Census Bureau figures.

While we slash services like park maintenance, the City has millions of dollars in park fees, sitting in reserves.  Under state law, we charge developers fees to enable us to build parks, pools and community centers whenever they build a new housing project. For over a decade, we have been building community-serving amenities that we cannot pay to maintain or operate. It would be irresponsible to continue on this course.