Governor Restructures High-Speed Rail Authority
The governor has appointed two close associates to the board of directors of the High-Speed Rail Authority. This significant shake-up aims to bring California’s troubled bullet train projects directly under Gavin Newsom’s oversight.
On Friday, Jason Elliott, a longtime political advisor and current chief of staff in the Newsom administration, joined the board alongside Steve Kawa, another advisor who previously worked as Newsom’s chief of staff during his tenure as mayor of San Francisco.
They are filling the roles previously held by Tom Richards, the board’s chairman, and Nancy Miller, the vice chair, both of whom are retiring.
This change comes amid increasing costs for high-speed rail initiatives. A recent report indicated that completing the original plan could cost up to $231 billion, prompting authorities to implement several concerning alterations.
Before his current role, Elliott was the chief of staff for former San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, focusing on housing and homelessness issues—topics that later became pivotal in Newsom’s statewide agenda.
As a key advisor in Sacramento, Elliott was instrumental in shaping the administration’s strategy on homelessness and housing, which has emerged as a pressing political dilemma in California.
Earlier this year, Elliott defended Newsom’s approach to homelessness in a New Yorker profile, noting that the administration inherited a long-standing crisis. He referred to the governor’s early homelessness policies as “a product of its time” while supporting his efforts to expand housing support and state involvement.
Interestingly, Elliott mentioned that Newsom had long dreamed of becoming governor, having campaigned for universal health care in California and successfully implementing it in San Francisco as mayor.
However, Newsom has yet to deliver on universal health care for the state, and his ambitious bullet train project has faced skepticism regarding its feasibility.
Elliott chose not to comment for the Post and directed inquiries to the governor’s office. In a statement, Governor’s Press Secretary Anthony Martinez praised both Elliott and Kawa as “trusted advisors and innovative leaders” with substantial experience in managing large-scale projects amidst challenging political and financial climates.
As the high-speed rail initiative progresses to what is described as its “most visible and complex phase,” the governor aims to ensure that every dollar and mile of track is managed effectively.
The line connecting Los Angeles to San Francisco was originally estimated to cost between $33 billion and $45 billion, with a 2020 completion target. However, after multiple revisions, the latest figures project the total cost to be around $126 billion—almost triple the initial estimate. Furthermore, there is still no clear strategy for phases beyond the first, which plans to link Merced and Bakersfield by 2032.
This new board appointment fortifies Newsom’s control over a project perceived as a case study in inefficiency and political risk. Speculations suggest he may launch a presidential campaign after his term concludes early next year.
Reacting to the appointments, Rep. David Tangipa (R-Fresno) expressed his disbelief, questioning the qualifications of Elliott and Kawa for overseeing such an expensive infrastructure project.
While construction on the initial 171 miles of rail continues in the Central Valley, Newsom has opted for a more limited approach in an effort to navigate past delays and mismanagement.
In February, a photo of Newsom standing in front of a freight train sparked mockery from Republican lawmakers and critics. Assemblymember Alexandra Macedo, representing areas of the Central Valley, quipped, “He’s standing in front of a freight train saying, ‘It’s coming,’ but no, it’s not,” describing the situation as a misuse of resources.
