Silicon Valley & Fresno Leaders Unite in Supporting Senator Cortese’s High Speed Rail Bill To Advance Economic Opportunities

SACRAMENTO – California Senate Transportation Committee Chair Dave Cortese (D-Silicon Valley) is getting the support of  Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer Tuesday when the Senate Transportation Committee takes action on SB 545, Cortese’s bill that would advance major economic opportunities connected to the High Speed Rail Project.

“I strongly believe in two things – that Downtown Fresno is on the cusp of a major economic revival, and that if the state’s High Speed Rail project becomes a reality, that revival will be even better and stronger.  That’s why I support Senate Bill 545, which would study the economic opportunities along the high-speed route. I believe it will show positive benefits in the cities where stations will be built.  I want to thank Senator Cortese for proposing this bill, which will prove what I think we all already know intrinsically – high-speed rail is not only good for air quality, but it has the potential to be an economic driver,” said Jerry Dyer, Mayor of Fresno.

Senate Bill 545 would commission a study on the extraordinary commercial and residential economic development opportunities along the California High Speed Rail corridor focusing on increased land value development incentives and public-private partnerships from Los Angeles to Fresno.

The High Speed Rail Project broke ground in Fresno January 6, 2015. Mayor Dyer has been a longtime supporter. 

WHEN: Tuesday, April 8 - 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Senate Transportation Committee                     

                   1021 O Street, Room 1200

                   Click here to watch:

                  Welcome to Senate Committee on Transportation | Senate Transportation Committee

  Background:

This historic project has resulted in significant job and economic opportunities including:

  • Creating more than 14,200 construction jobs since the start of high-speed rail construction through September 2024, with most of these jobs going to Central Valley residents and men and women from disadvantaged communities.
  • Employing more than 860 small, disadvantaged, and disabled veteran businesses through August 2024.
  • Yielding $7.0 billion in labor income and $18.0 billion in total economic output across the State from July 2006 through June 2023.

 

Support:

California Council of Laborers (Sponsor)

California-Nevada Conference of Operating Engineers (Sponsor)

Associated General Contractors, California Chapter

California Alliance for Jobs

California Construction and Materials Association

California State Association of Electrical Workers

California State Pipe Trades Council

Rebuild SoCal Partnership

Southern California Contractors Association

State Building and Construction Trades Council of California

Transportation California

Western States Council of Sheet Metal Workers