However, word has it that a significantly slimmed-down version of that bill is still in play. Manchin is a long-time supporter of passenger rail and may be okay with the high-speed rail pot staying in it. And since California has the only true high-speed rail project under construction in the whole country, the state should be in a great position to apply for those funds.
Senator Joe Manchin II (D-W.Va). Image via Third Wayfalse
"Senator Manchin seems to be trying to salvage something from the BBB bill's demise last year," wrote advocate, retired politician, and San Jose's train station namesake, Rod Diridon, in an email blast.
"The White House, Senator Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi are all still in favor of passing something," a source close to the goings-on told Streetsblog. "This is all still in play."
Governor Gavin Newsom and Assemblymember Laura Friedman - photo via Twitterfalse
The delay in releasing the funds—which were intended for laying track and stringing wire—is helping jack up the costs of the high-speed rail program and making California less competitive against other states for federal funding, threatening the entire project. That's why, as Streetsblog's source said, less parochial politicians are ratcheting up the pressure on state legislators to release those funds.
"Negotiations on Gov. Newsom's budget are heating up and the project's detractors have launched another volley of attacks in local and national editorial pages in response," wrote Ezra R. Silk, Political Director, U.S. High-Speed Rail Coalition, in an email blast. He also pointed out that more than 7,300 labor jobs have been created by the project and that the carrying capacity of the state's under-construction high-speed rail system is the "equivalent of highway or aviation capacity that would cost nearly twice as much."
"Remember to encourage your California legislators to support the California HSR Authority's budget approval as recommended by the Governor. This is absolutely crucial to keep the project moving in the Central Valley and beyond and be in a position to compete for the new federal HSR funds," wrote Diridon about the state negotiations. As to the latest federal horse-trading, "Let's hope there's enough meat on these legislative bones to put together a decent compromise that includes the $10 billion for a shovel-ready high-speed rail project."
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