California State Assemblyman Silva responds to passage of high-speed rail funding

The following information was released by the office of Assemblyman Jim Silva.

Today, Assemblyman Jim Silva (R- Huntington Beach) issued a statement on the passage of Senate Bill 1029 by the California State Legislature, a bill approving the expenditure of billions of dollars on high speed rail (HSR).

“I am very disappointed that Democrats approved spending billions of dollars the state doesn’t have on the high speed rail project,” said Silva. “This shows that the disconnect between Californians and their government is at an all-time high. It is outrageous that only weeks after voting to cut education, cut public safety, and cut health programs, legislative Democrats have now committed Californians to spending tens of billions of dollars on this overpriced project.”

In 2008, California voters approved $9.9 billion in bonds for initial funding for HSR. Since then, cost estimates have varied from $34 billion to $98.5 billion, with the current estimate at $68 billion. The gap between the current estimated cost and the amount voters approved is $54 billion.

“Democrats in the Legislature do not operate in reality,” continued Silva. “Where is this money going to come from?”

SB 1029 passed both houses of the Legislature on a party-line vote. It now goes to the governor for his signature or veto.

Assemblyman Jim Silva represents the 67th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Anaheim, Cypress, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, La Palma, Los Alamitos, Rossmoor, Seal Beach, Stanton, Sunset Beach and Westminster.