Tulare Times

Today, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced a federal investigation into the California High-Speed Rail project. Assemblywoman Alexandra M. Macedo, representing Tulare, Kings, and Fresno Counties, played a key role in urging President Trump to scrutinize the project's viability and hold the High Speed Rail Authority accountable.

Assemblywoman Macedo expressed her concerns: “After 17 years and $13.7 billion spent, no tracks have been laid." She highlighted the financial burden on taxpayers: “Taxpayers are forking out a billion dollars a year for this failed project."

Macedo emphasized the pressing needs of Southern California residents dealing with wildfire aftermaths and Central Valley communities lacking drinkable water. She argued that funds allocated to the rail project could be better utilized elsewhere: “The $1,000,000,000 the state spends on the High-Speed Rail annually would be better used to protect lives, homes and jobs against wildfires and other natural disasters and to secure the water infrastructure we need for our communities to thrive and our economy to grow."

To address these issues, Macedo introduced Assembly Bill 267 aimed at redirecting state funding from the rail project to wildfire prevention and water infrastructure initiatives. She stated: “It is time to reprioritize this money from the High-Speed Rail Authority’s wasteful mismanagement and instead fund projects that are urgently necessary.”

Assemblywoman Macedo represents California's 33rd Assembly District.