FRESNO (KMJ) — One of the candidates vying to become the next Governor of California says the High Speed Rail project needs to drive down costs to win public support.
Antonio Villaraigosa’s visit to Downtown Fresno Wednesday morning also gave him the opportunity to tour the construction site.
“I wanted to come because I have supported High Speed Rail since the first commission was formed…California needs to go, well then I said into the 20th century, and now I say into the 21st.”
“California’s investment in High Speed Rail is an opportunity to connect the two economic powerhouses of the state with a part of the state that needs to diversify its economy.
“With High Speed Rail we can leverage economic development, middle class jobs, growing our economy, and transforming the valley.”
Questions directed towards the gubernatorial candidate then focused on other political matters, such as growing the state’s economy.
“Targeting high unemployment, high poverty, areas of the state to leverage investments. High Speed Rail is part of that. Bringing back redevelopment.”
Villaraigosa also called for investments in voter education.
“I hope to animate and energize that vote, but I want everybody to come out. Democrat and Republican alike.”
As the interview drew to a close, the subject matter came back around to High Speed Rail. Villaraigosa responded to the recent report that the board overseeing the project approved on Tuesday roughly $50 million in contract amendments, to deal with unanticipated construction and environmental review costs.
“But High Speed Rail is all about leveraging economic development in a part of the state that has had a consistent underemployment, consistent poverty.
“We’ve got to diversify the economy by making investments and High Speed Rail is one of them.”
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
