The California State Senate has approved billions of dollars for the first high-speed rail line in the United States by a vote of 21 – 16, reports the AP:
The bill authorizes the state to begin selling $2.6 billion in voter-approved bonds to build an initial 130-miles stretch in the Central Valley. That would allow the state to collect about $3.2 billion in federal funding that could have been rescinded if lawmakers failed to act Friday.
While the initial segment would be laid in the Central Valley, further work would need to be done to connect Los Angeles and San Francisco. The bill, previously passed by the State Assembly, now heads to Gov. Jerry Brown’s (D) desk.
