Today, the Assembly Transportation Committee and the Budget Subcommittee No. 3 held a joint hearing on the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s Project Update Report. Promised to voters in 2008 to build a route from San Francisco to Los Angeles by 2020 with a total cost of $34 billion, the project has now ballooned to $128 billion. Assembly Budget Vice Chair, Assemblyman Vince Fong (R-Central Valley), called for the Governor and the Legislature to halt the year-over-year taxpayer funding for a failed project with the following statement:
“Facing an estimated $25 billion deficit, the Governor and the Legislature need to stop wasting taxpayer money on this failing project and redirect the billion dollar yearly funding to more pressing priorities like hardening levies, water storage and conveyance that will protect lives and communities to help Californians.
“The California High Speed Rail project is failing, and now, there are bipartisan criticisms and concerns.
“Taxpayers are getting swindled. Facing out of control costs, delays and mismanagement, it is time for the Governor to stop wasting taxpayer dollars.”
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Contact
Nghia.Nguyen@asm.ca.gov
916-813-8367
Assemblyman Vince Fong represents the 32nd Assembly District, which encompasses Kern and Tulare Counties.