SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) - State Assemblymember Alexandra Macedo called on Governor Gavin Newsom to "stop defending high-speed rail" in a message published Thursday. Assemblymember Macedo, who represents areas of Fresno County, Kings County and Tulare County, called for the state's spending on high-speed rail to instead be reprioritized for wildfire victims and Central Valley residents. Sunday Morning Matters: Alexandra Macedo on EVs, bills, the state’s budget deficit “The State is facing a budget deficit. It is time for Governor Newsom to prioritize wildfire victims and residents of rural communities over the mismanaged High-Speed Rail,” said Macedo. “Southern California residents continue to suffer from the aftermath of the wildfire including life-threatening flooding – while people in the Central Valley don’t have drinkable water.” Assemblymember Macedo has previously introduced legislation designed to reprioritize the $1 billion of cap-and-trade funding that goes to the High-Speed Rail Authority to pay for wildfire prevention and water infrastructure. Assembly Bill 267 was last referred to committee in the state legislature. In response, officials with the California High-Speed Rail Authority say it is currently engaged in a top-to-bottom review of the project, "examining every aspect to identify cost and schedule efficiencies" - adding that it "remains on track to deliver the Merced to Bakersfield segment as currently scheduled." The High-Speed Rail Authority says it currently has 171 miles under active construction and design. YourCentralValley.com has also reached out to the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom for comment. ...read more read less