Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, in Sacramento yesterday, said President Obama won’t surrender California’s high-speed rail to Republicans in budget negotiations.
“There’s no stopping high speed rail in California,” LaHood said.
The $68 billion system needs $39 billion from Uncle Sam. LaHood said Obama is resolved to provide it. Obama said so after the election, LaHood told Ch. 10.
“The one thing the president mentioned to me was we need to get high speed rail, not only really on good footing in California, but we need to get it done,” he said
The Ch. 10 story here.
I predict that one day Flordians, and residents of other states where Republican governors refused federal HSR money, will smack their heads when they see California’s bullet train. Yes, it’s a financial risk. But so is continuing to expand the freeway system to accommodate more cars and trucks, given increased carbon emissions will further alter the climate and — if we go too far down that road — destroy Valley agriculture.
