Governor Gavin Newsom met with reporters on Friday for the first time since the federal government decided to cancel funding for the high-speed rail project.
Newsom said the state will prove that it’s holding up its federal agreement for the rail system.
“In essence what I said only reinforced what we need to do legally under the grant which is focused on the Central Valley, the federal regulations require that focus,” he said.
He confirmed the state is putting together a detailed response to the Federal Railroad Administration to avoid losing $3.5 billion for the project.
The FRA decided to cancel the money after the governor announced immediate plans for the project would only include a segment from Bakersfield to Modesto.
“What we’re doing is consistent with the regulations and rules and that’s why we made the decision we made going forward,” he said.
The governor spent part of the week in Washington D.C. where he’s had conversations with the Trump administration, along with lawmakers, clarifying the plan and agreement.
Newsom’s recent visit didn’t change his mind about President Trump.