Governor Brown Signs High Speed Rail Funding Bill

California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill into law on Wednesday that allows initial construction of a high speed train.

Governor Brown emphasized that California isn’t just funding a bullet train, but making an investment in the state’s economic future. The bill authorizes the state to begin selling $2.6 billion in voter approved bonds.

He celebrated the signing in both Los Angeles and San Francisco. Both cities will serve as major hubs for the eventual 130 miles of track through the Central Valley. But the Governor chose not to sign it there.

“This is a bold move with many elements that spells jobs and future prosperity, so we’ll have our chance to go to the Valley, but we don’t want people to forget we have a lot of investment right here in San Francisco and other places along the coast.”

Farm groups in the Central Valley have filed a lawsuit to prevent the $68 billion high speed rail line. And Republicans promise to block future funding.