The $130 billion train that couldn’t
Posted By: sunset, 7/21/2025 6:15:51 PM
In the annals of stupid and poorly run schemes, the California High-Speed Rail project ranks among the worst. Its future, even a dramatically scaled down one, has become ever more precarious since the Trump administration’s Department of Transportation rescinded $4 billion in funds already granted the project. Governor Newsom has already filed a suit to reverse the action, but he can’t legislate away the reality that this project is an abject embarrassment. When voters approved $9 billion in 2008, Rail estimated it would cost $33billion and start running by 2020 – just for the San Joaquin Valley portion. The cost has since ballooned to $130 billion; no stretch is operational.
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The $130 billion train that couldn’t
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In the annals of stupid and poorly run schemes, the California High-Speed Rail project ranks among the worst. Its future, even a dramatically scaled down one, has become ever more precarious since the Trump administration’s Department of Transportation rescinded $4 billion in funds already granted the project. Governor Newsom has already filed a suit to reverse the action, but he can’t legislate away the reality that this project is an abject embarrassment. When voters approved $9 billion in 2008, Rail estimated it would cost $33billion and start running by 2020 – just for the San Joaquin Valley portion. The cost has since ballooned to $130 billion; no stretch is operational.
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The Deep State Is in Real Trouble Now
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If you’re a “white man” with the last name Biden,
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The scenario plays that California is like a gambler betting away everything he owns, and then begging, borrowing and stealing from everyone they meet to help them place another losing bet.