California sues government over canceled high speed rail funding
California made good on its threat to sue the Trump administration after nearly $1 billion of federal funding was withdrawn for the state’s high-speed rail project.
The Federal Railroad Administration said last week it was pulling the funding as the state ‘failed to make reasonable progress on the project.’
The funds were agreed way back in 2010 for a planned Los Angeles-San Francisco rail line.
The state had reigned in that plan saying it would ‘cost too much and take too long.’
Instead the state had planned a less ambitious first phase connecting cities in the Central Valley.
"The Trump administration’s action is illegal and a direct assault on California, our green infrastructure, and the thousands of Central Valley workers who are building this project," California Gov. Gavin Newsom said last week.
The lawsuit says the cancelation of funding is ‘a sharp departure from ordinary agency practice.’
It is a political decision it contends, ‘precipitated by President Trump’s overt hostility to California.’
California says more than $6 billion has already been spent on the project.
The administration also threatened to take action to recoup $2.5 billion previously awarded to the state for the project.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11