SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California State Assembly has approved legislation that improves the existing California High Speed Train Bond Act by strengthening provisions for financial controls, environmental findings and construction implementation, officials said.
The legislation was approved by a 60-3 margin.
The technical amendments in the bill clarify construction and financing requirements for the $9.95 billion dollar bond measure, which will be on the November 2008 statewide ballot. The bill also prioritizes construction segments based on financial readiness and ability to leverage local, federal, and private funds.
Prior to passage on the Assembly floor, two Assembly committees, Assembly Transportation and Assembly Appropriations approved the measure without any negative votes.
“The strong vote on the Assembly floor reflects increasing vitality and enthusiasm for high-speed rail in California,” said Quentin Kopp, chairman of the California High-Speed Authority. “Despite past vicissitudes, the Assembly’s overwhelming vote demonstrates California’s purposeful progress in providing 200 mile per hour train service from southern California through the Central Valley to the Bay Area and Sacramento.”
— Business Wire
