California High-Speed Rail Caucus Statement in Support of High-Speed Rail Funding in 2014-15 Budget

Statement

The California High-Speed Rail Caucus leadership issued the following statement today as California Governor Jerry Brown signed the 2014-2015 California budget in San Diego. From U.S. Reps. Janice Hahn (CA-44), Zoe Lofgren (CA-19), and Jim Costa (CA-16):

"As Chairs of the California High-Speed Rail Caucus, we applaud Governor Brown for signing the 2014-15 California Budget, which contains crucial ongoing funding for California high-speed rail and commend both the Governor and the State Legislature their leadership.

"The signed budget is a key turning point for rail and transit in California. Not only does it contain $250 million in cap and trade funds to advance the high-speed rail project, the budget also contains an ongoing commitment to a variety of programs that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help the state combat climate change. On an ongoing basis, without the need for annual appropriations: 25% of the annual cap-and-trade revenue will fund continued development and construction of the high-speed rail system, and 35% of the proceeds will be allocated for affordable housing, transit-oriented development, and transit and intercity capital and operating improvements.

"The funding will ease traffic congestion and improve air quality in the State. Currently, California's urban areas rank among the most congested in the country and the problem will only grow worse over time because California's population is projected to grow to about 51 million people by 2050. It is estimated that without the high-speed rail project, California would need to build more than 4,000 new freeway lane miles, 115 new airport gates and four new runways just to keep up with population growth.

"This ongoing commitment is a major step forward, both for high-speed rail and for transit, commuter, and intercity rail systems that will make up the statewide modernization program. We applaud the strong leadership from the Governor, the State Legislature, and the High-Speed Rail Authority for addressing California's infrastructure needs head-on. The California High-Speed Rail Caucus looks forward to working together as we advance this transformative investment in California's future."

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