So, Does It Matter? California Politics!

So, Does It Matter? California Politics!

Share this post

So, Does It Matter? California Politics!
So, Does It Matter? California Politics!
New CA High-Speed Rail Report: Newsom's Presidential Albatross?

New CA High-Speed Rail Report: Newsom's Presidential Albatross?

California’s 2025 High-Speed Rail report pegs costs at $87 billion, with delays pushing service to 2032 and federal officials terminating $4 billion in grants.

Jon Fleischman's avatar
Jon Fleischman
Aug 25, 2025
∙ Paid
5

Share this post

So, Does It Matter? California Politics!
So, Does It Matter? California Politics!
New CA High-Speed Rail Report: Newsom's Presidential Albatross?
2
Share

California’s 2025 High-Speed Rail report pegs costs at $87 billion, with delays pushing service to 2032 and federal officials terminating $4 billion in grants.

⏱️ 5.5 -minute read

Newsom’s White House Dream Meets a Train Wreck

As Gavin Newsom ramps up his 2028 White House bid, the latest High-Speed Rail report exposes $87 billion in ballooning costs, endless route changes, and a fresh demand for another billion dollars a year from the so-called “Cap-and-Invest” scheme—while about $4 billion in federal grants were terminated last month.

Gavin Newsom’s name is buzzing in early 2028 presidential polls, with his California swagger and progressive credentials front and center. He’s already working in early primary states, presenting himself as a national contender. Yet, this is the proverbial albatross around his neck.—a project he has championed and defended through years of missteps.

The newly released 2025 Project Update Report is a damning reminder: exploding costs, shifting routes, and a brazen plea to siphon $1 billion annually from the state’s “Cap-and-Invest” program—California’s rebranded cap-and-trade carbon fund—through 2045. That’s $15 billion in taxpayer funds to keep alive a phantom train that hasn’t moved a foot.

For a governor eyeing the Oval Office, this isn’t just a state fiasco; it’s a national warning about wasteful government that could alienate voters wary of big spenders…


You do not want to miss out on the 85% of this insightful and fact-filled column that is below the paywall. Most afternoon columns are just an inexpensive upgrade away…. So close…

Take the plunge, become a paid subscriber - and take advantage of the huge discount available now. $5/mo or $50/year. Every week as free subscriber you will always get plenty of content. But between 30% - 40% of our best stuff is reserved for the paid tier. I did the math, and you end up spending around seven cents each time you get paid content. Now that is a deal… How could you not want to read the rest of this analysis for less than a dime? Join a huge number of your former freebies, and upgrade!

Upgrade with the Big Discount!

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to So, Does It Matter? California Politics! to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Jon Fleischman
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share