Pete Buttigieg said on a podcast that higher capital gains taxes, corporate taxes and limits on inherited wealth would let America build fast trains.
He claimed the country is stuck in a doom loop because it does not collect enough taxes.
California voters approved high-speed rail in 2008.
Original price tag sold to voters was about $33 billion with service by 2020.
Current high-end full Phase 1 estimate sits at $231 billion.
Agency says an optimized version could cost $126 billion.
Roughly $15 billion has already been spent.
About 80 miles of guideway and dozens of structures are finished in the Central Valley.
No operational high-speed passenger trains run anywhere on the system.
First track installation was only approved in June 2026.
Passenger service on the limited Merced to Bakersfield segment is now targeted for 2033.
Federal government already pulled $4 billion in funding after missed deadlines including never buying the trains.
We don’t have low taxes. Let’s start there. Most Americans pay 56 cents on every dollar in taxes. They are drowning in debt and can’t get ahead because they own nothing, rent their house from the government with absorbent property taxes and there is nothing left…
— Joe Oltmann (@Joeoltmann) August 3, 2026
If Pete just raises capital gains taxes then the Dems will build fast trains
Meanwhile it's taken California tens of billions and 18 years to build this…
— KanekoaTheGreat (@KanekoaTheGreat) August 3, 2026
we dont need higher taxes, we need less fraud and grifting.
— Jon Brooks (@jonbrooks) August 4, 2026