The Trump administration officially informed California about its plan to cancel nearly $1 billion in federal funding for the state’s high-speed rail project and to pursue legal action to get back $2.5 billion in funding, which was previously granted for the project.
Last week, President Donald Trump tweeted that California must return the federal funds given to the high-speed rail project after several media entities created confusion by reporting that Governor Gavin Newsom hit the brakes on the project.
In his State of the State address, Newsom said the state has the ability to complete the high-speed rail line between Merced and Bakersfield. However, right now, he doesn’t see a path towards the completion of the Sacramento to San Diego and San Francisco to Los Angeles lines. Some reporters and Republicans including Rep. Kevin McCarthy misinterpreted the governor’s statement that he is stopping the project. Thus, prompting Trump’s demand for the reimbursement of federal funds.
California fails to make reasonable progress on high-speed rail project
On Tuesday, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Chief Batory notified California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Head Brian Kelly regarding the plan.
