Orange County Republicans take aim at California’s bullet train

​Assemblywoman Laurie Davies looks to claw back $54 million in high-speed rail funds, while Rep. Michelle Steel moves to block any federal funding for the project.
 

By BROOKE STAGGS | bstaggs@scng.com | Orange County Register

PUBLISHED: March 1, 2021 at 5:39 p.m. | UPDATED: March 1, 2021 at 5:39 p.m.

 

Newly elected Orange County Republican leaders are pushing back against funding for California’s controversial high-speed train, even as the state’s rail authority touts progress in creating jobs and building the first stretch of the line.

A new bill from freshman Assemblywoman Laurie Davies, R-Laguna Niguel, calls for shifting $54 million currently set aside for the train and using it to help fund local transit and infrastructure projects that have been financially harmed or delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This money has been sitting here since 2013 and hasn’t been used for the high-speed rail,” said Davies, who’s on the Assembly’s transportation committee.

“We’ve got shovel-ready projects,” she added. “This will benefit everyone in California.”

Orange County Republicans take aim at California’s bullet train

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