Galgiani's High-Speed Train Legislation Passes out of the Assembly

Sacramento, CA - Assembly Bill 733 authored by Assemblymember Cathleen Galgiani (D-Livingston) successfully passed off the Assembly Floor yesterday on a unanimous bipartisan vote. AB 733 seeks to maximize the number of California-based jobs that will be created for the construction of the High-Speed Train project as a means to improve and strengthen the California economy and job base.

"As the economic recession has hit California hard and the unemployment rate reached 11.2% this past March, actions must be taken to encourage job growth in the state," expressed Galgiani. “The High Speed Train project will be the largest transportation project California has seen since the Transcontinental Railroad and will provide 160,000 construction jobs and 450,000 permanent jobs. Also, California stands to gain up to $6 billion in federal money for the high speed train project, which will go a long way towards putting Californians back to work. My bill will provide a much needed economic stimulus to the state of California.”

Last year Assemblymember Galgiani steered Assembly Bill 3034 through the Legislature which placed Proposition 1A, The High Speed Train Bond Act, on the November ballot. The proposition was subsequently approved by the voters. That legislation requires the High-Speed Rail Authority to look at several criteria when determining the priority of projects.

AB 733 will authorize the High Speed Rail Authority to consider the creation of California jobs for the construction of the high speed train project as an additional factor when awarding contracts for the construction of the High-Speed Train project.

The bill now heads to the Senate.

Contact: Robin Adam @ (209) 948-7479

Contact: Reichel Everhart @ (916) 319-2017