Good Political News for California High-Speed Rail

The California High-Speed Rail Authority did not just win a lawsuit, receive a grant, or find that a private company wanted to invest in the 800-mile line, as is the case with Texas Central, the high-speed Dallas-to-Houston line. Nonetheless, the news that Democratic Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, former mayor of San Francisco and announced candidate to run for governor in 2018, had changed his position on the project must have been received most favorably by board members of the state High-Speed Rail Authority.

At a luncheon of the Sacramento Press Club on Oct. 19, Juliet Williams of The Associated Press reports that their guest speaker, Newsom, told attendees he was now supportive of the project and would seek funding for the $64 billion project that voters supported in 2008 by passing a $9.95 billion bond measure.

“I want to be honest about the concerns, and transparent about how this project’s changed, and be honest about the fact that it’s unlikely to generate a big surplus,” Newsom said. “There’s only one rail system in the world that actually generates a profit. I’m not opposed to the vision.”

"Um, no, Gavin," wrote Robert Cruickshank in the California High Speed Rail Blog in response. "Pretty much every HSR system in the world generates a profit. Not all of them cover their construction costs, but there shouldn’t be an expectation that they do."

Newsom's announcement is a major turnaround from his position two years ago.

"In California, where Democrats and Republicans don't agree on much, the emergence of Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom as the state's highest-ranking Democrat to pull his support for Gov. Jerry Brown's high-speed rail project is being closely watched as the possible harbinger of political change," reported Carla Marinucci for the San Francisco Chronicle on Feb. 19, 2014.

Newsom has a knack for getting out in front on issues - most famously in his 2004 backing of same-sex marriage, and more recently in endorsing legalized marijuana [Prop. 64]. Although he was an early and ardent supporter of the bullet train, Newsom said in a phone interview Tuesday that "it's not the same system that was being promoted" when it first came before voters in 2008.

However, Newsom's new position is not without reservation. He appeared to have left himself an 'out,' reports Williams.

“I want to give the governor the benefit of the doubt”...., Newsom said. “If he is successful to invite and secure the private-sector money, that’s a game-changer. And if we can do that, then this thing starts to pencil out. Without that, then I remain concerned about financing.”