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This Week is Critical for the Future of High Speed Rail in America
We have arrived at the tipping point for high speed rail in America. And it’s happening in California this week.
The Budget Committee for the California State Assembly meets on Wednesday March 10 to review the business plan for the latest round of appropriations for the Bakersfield to Merced segment of high speed rail - the backbone of a larger San Francisco to Los Angeles high speed line, and the proof of concept for high speed rail in America.
Over the last several days, California Mayors and public officials have published editorials in their hometown newspapers making the case for fully funding and completing the Bakersfield to Merced line.
- In San Francisco, California state Senator Scott Wiener published an editorial in the San Francisco Chronicle advocating for the line to be completed to create jobs, combat climate change and improve equity for both residents of the Central Valley and for San Franciscans.
- The Mayors of Fresno and San Jose, Jerry Dyer and Sam Liccardo, came together to publish an editorial in the Fresno Bee advocating for the prosperity the line would bring to Fresno and the access to affordable housing it would unlock for people working in San Jose.
- And in Silicon Valley, Boris Lipkin, the NorCal Regional Director for the California High Speed Rail Authority made the case for how the zero-emission high speed rail line is essential for meeting our climate goals while creating jobs and economic resiliency in the Central Valley in an editorial in The Daily Journal.
The time is now. There is no time to waste. This is what you can do to help:
Give Public Comment on Wednesday: Speak at the March 10th California Assembly Hearing on High-Speed Rail. We need your voice to show legislators that the public supports this project. If you're not available to speak you can send a written message.
If you live in California, please write to your state senator and representative in support of high-speed rail!
