San Diego City Wire

Today, Senate Minority Leader Brian W. Jones voiced concerns regarding the ongoing issues surrounding California's high-speed rail project. His comments come as federal authorities announce more funding for the troubled initiative.

"The Biden-Harris Administration recently awarded $3.1 billion to the failed California High-Speed Rail that’s already $95 BILLION over budget and decades behind completion," stated Leader Jones. "It’s bad enough to waste Californians’ tax dollars on the ‘train to nowhere,’ now all Americans are paying for it. It’s time to DEFUND the High-Speed Rail. Our state is looking at a large budget deficit and we have much more pressing issues that demand our attention to Fix California – like tackling crime, cutting costs, acting on homelessness, and investing in students."

The project has been plagued by delays and rising costs, failing to meet its promises of a modern transportation system for Californians.

In 2019, Governor Newsom acknowledged the project's shortcomings during his State of the State speech: "But let’s be real. The project, as currently planned, would cost too much and take too long. There’s been too little oversight and not enough transparency."

Previously funded phases of the rail project have also faced scrutiny from various political figures and organizations within California.