Stopping High-Speed Rail Federal Funding
Washington, D.C. – A California Congressman plans to introduce legislation to suspend the funding.
Congressman Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) made the announcement during a hearing of the Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials in Washington D.C. today. He is the Chairman of that subcommittee. Denham represents the 10th District of California including Modesto and Turlock. He says the state could lose other needed federal dollars if the money is not matched by the state.
“This is about priorities,” says Representative Denham. “Continued spending of federal dollars on high-speed rail when the California High-Speed Rail Authority has no viable method of generating state funds puts all federal money for the state of California in jeopardy. The federal government can and would withhold money for other top infrastructure priorities, such as education and water, from the state of California, should the state fail to provide state funds.”
Denham contends recent state court rulings have left the $68 billion project in legal limbo. One of the ruling has prevented the state from selling $8.6 billion in voter-approved bonds. California High-speed Rail Authority officials argue the Federal Railroad Administration grant agreement can be amended and they will have the state match, including a $180 million payment due in April.
