Hearst: LaHood: California on Fast Track for Rail Funds

From Hearst:

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood indicated Friday that California and Florida are on the fast track for federal funding for planned high-speed rail systems.  LaHood said he will convene a high-speed rail summit in Washington on May 19 with transportation officials from around the United States to review different high-speed rail proposals and discuss the Obama administration's plans to disburse $13 billion in federal aid for rail projects.  California is "way, way, way ahead" in taking steps to build a high-speed rail system that would initially link San Francisco with Los Angeles and Anaheim. Extensions to Sacramento and San Diego would be built later. Florida, which LaHood also cited as a top candidate for funding, is planning a high-speed line between Tampa and Miami, via Orlando.