The Trump administration canceled nearly $1 billion in funding for California’s botched high-speed rail project this week; clawing back the cash months after Governor Gavin Newsom abruptly scrapped the expensive plan.
“The Trump administration cancelled nearly $1 billion Thursday in federal money for California’s high-speed rail project, further throwing into question the future of the ambitious plan to connect Los Angeles and San Francisco,” reports NBC Bay Area.
BREAKING: The Federal Railroad Administration has notified California its ENDING its high speed rail agreement, clawing back crucial $ for project pic.twitter.com/WPhn6hIZ0g
— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) May 16, 2019
“The Trump Administration’s action is illegal and a direct assault on California,” he said in a written statement. “This is California’s money, appropriated by Congress, and we will vigorously defend it in court.”
“While the $929 million is a critical piece of the project’s funding plan, state rail officials were not expecting to access the money until 2021, according to a recently released project update. If a court battle over the money drags on, that could put the state in position to win the money back or get more from the federal government if Democrats win the White House and control of Congress in 2020,” adds NBC.
The White House slammed Governor Newsom after the far-left leader abandoned the project; pledging to recover the $2.5 billion already spent on the rail network.
The move comes days after Newsom abruptly pardoned multiple immigrant felons to shield them from deportation by federal agents.
“I’m constantly trying to understand the moment we’re living in, the xenophobia, the nativism that marks the populism of this moment,” Newsom said. “Any of us who are students of history know that it’s not without precedent. It’s not novel. It’s hardly new. It’s very familiar.”
One of the refugees -originally from Cambodia- was arrested by federal immigration agents in March.
The man was convicted for solicitation to commit murder in 2001.
CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN': Newsom DITCHES High Speed Rail, Says Too Expensive, Won't Return $3.5B
California Governor Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday his government will abandon the state’s highly-touted high-speed rail link connecting Los Angeles and San Francisco; saying the project would likely cost too much money.
“I have nothing but respect for Governor Brown’s and Governor Schwarzenegger’s vision. I share it,” Newsom said. “But let’s be real. The current project, as planned, would cost too much and take too long.”
Gov Newsom on high speed rail:
“Let’s be real… the project as currently planned would cost too much and take too long.”— Ashley Zavala (@ZavalaA) February 12, 2019
“The Democratic governor acknowledged critics who want the state to abandon the project entirely, but said he doesn’t want to waste the billions already spent on the project, nor does he want to return $3.5 billion the state has received in federal funding,” writes the Sacramento Bee.
Read the full report here.
COASTAL CHAOS: Trump Says Newsom Must RETURN $3.5 BILLION from Botched Rail Project
President Trump slammed California Governor Gavin Newsom on social media Wednesday night; blasting the west coast leader after scrapping a $3.5 billion high-speed rail project using federal funds.
“California has been forced to cancel the massive bullet train project after having spent and wasted many billions of dollars. They owe the Federal Government three and a half billion dollars. We want that money back now. Whole project is a ‘green’ disaster!” tweeted the president.
California has been forced to cancel the massive bullet train project after having spent and wasted many billions of dollars. They owe the Federal Government three and a half billion dollars. We want that money back now. Whole project is a “green” disaster!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 14, 2019
Newsom abandoned his state’s rail project during a press conference this week; admitting the project would take “too long” and cost too much money.