California’s High-Stakes Move: Homelessness Adviser Takes Helm of High-Speed Rail Project

In a significant move that strengthens Governor Gavin Newsom’s influence over California’s troubled bullet train project, two of his trusted associates have been appointed to the High-Speed Rail Authority board. This strategic shakeup aims to steer the beleaguered project, which has been fraught with challenges and escalating costs, under more direct oversight from the governor.

On Friday, Jason Elliott, a seasoned political adviser and former deputy chief of staff in Newsom’s administration, was named to the board alongside Steve Kawa. Kawa has a long history with Newsom, having been his chief of staff during his tenure as mayor of San Francisco and more recently serving as an adviser.

This leadership change sees Elliott and Kawa replacing Tom Richards and Nancy Miller, the outgoing board Chair and Vice Chair, respectively.

These appointments come at a critical time for the high-speed rail project, which is grappling with a surge in costs. A recent report highlighted that the original budget could skyrocket to $231 billion, prompting the rail authority to implement several controversial modifications.

Before his role in the governor’s office, Elliott contributed significantly as chief of staff to former San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, focusing on pivotal issues like housing and homelessness. These areas later became integral to Newsom’s wider agenda for California.

In Sacramento, Elliott has been a key figure in shaping the administration’s strategies on homelessness and housing, particularly as these concerns have risen to prominence as critical political issues across the state.

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In a New Yorker profile published earlier this year, Elliott defended Newsom’s approach to homelessness, arguing the administration inherited a decades-old crisis. He described Newsom’s early homelessness policies as “an artifact of its era” while defending the governor’s efforts to expand supportive housing and state intervention.

Elliott also told the magazine that Newsom confided in him that he’d dreamed of being governor since he was young. 

“He campaigned on bringing universal health care to California, having passed it in San Francisco as mayor,” the piece noted.

To date, Newsom has not delivered universal health care to California and his beloved bullet train has been dismissed by critics as equally unlikely to be completed as promised.

Elliot declined comment when reached by The Post, deferring comment to the governor’s office.

In a statement to The Post, the governor’s spokesperson, Anthony Martinez, said that Elliot and Kawa are “trusted advisors and innovative leaders who combined bring over 50 years of experience navigating large-scale projects through demanding political and fiscal landscapes.”

“As the project enters its most visible and complex phase yet — with tracklaying beginning — the governor is committed to making sure leadership is in place to shepherd every dollar and every mile of track with continuous rigor and accountability.”

Costs of the high-speed rail line from Los Angeles to San Francisco were originally described as being between $33 billion and $45 billion, and completion was expected by 2020. 

Current estimates after numerous revisions — some of which still need approval — place the full project cost at roughly $126 billion, nearly triple the projected cost. And there is still no definite plan beyond the first phase, which will allegedly connect Merced to Bakersfield by 2032.

The high-speed rail appointments further cement Newsom’s influence over a project that has become a shining example of inefficiency and a political liability. The governor is expected to launch a presidential campaign after terming out of office early next year.

“I’m actually shocked,” Assemblymember David Tangipa (R-Fresno) told The Post.

“What experience are they bringing to high-speed rail that is necessary or available other than placating the needs of the governor?”

He added, “The most expensive infrastructure project happening in the world right now is being overseen by the closest allies of the governor. That’s just insanity.”

Construction of the high-speed rail line remains underway in the Central Valley, where the state is building an initial 171-mile segment. Newsom has defended the scaled-back approach as the most realistic path forward after years of delays and mismanagement.

Newsom was mocked by Republican legislators and critics of the project in February while posing in front of a freight train.

“He stands in front of a freight train saying ‘it’s coming’ — no, sir, it’s not,” said Assemblymember Alexandra Macedo, who represents parts of the Central Valley. 

“Your privilege train is a money pit and a boondoggle.”