I read with great interest the story regarding Gov. Larry Hogan's interest in the high speed transportation system in Japan ("Hogan says state will seek grant to study maglev," June 5).
I noted the comment that a study to explore the feasibility of putting one between Baltimore and Washington would only cost $28 million without any state contribution. If it gets federal money I guess it does not cost the taxpayer anything. That money just magically appears from Washington.
My second thought is how could it possibly cost $28 million to study something that has been studied over and over again every time somebody brings this idea up? It was studied when the idea of a monorail was the way to go. I would appreciate someone telling me how $28 million is justified for a "study" unless the people doing the study pay themselves an exorbitant salary.
Maybe state government cost-cutting should start with looking into the money paid for these studies and expert analysis on everything from transportation to the disappearance of honey bees. I would also like to know how anyone can justify the estimated $10 billion cost so one can get from Baltimore to Washington in 15 minutes. Who really needs to do that?
Patrick M. Lynch, Glen Burnie