Ed. Note: The following is a news release provided by the office of Senator Sharon Runner.

The legislation to prohibit Cap and Trade funds from being used for High Speed Rail, created by Senator Sharon Runner, R-Antelope Valley, was rejected on Sept. 2 by the Senate Transportation and Infrastructure Development Committee.

Introduced in the First Extraordinary Session on Transportation and Infrastructure Development, Senate Bill X1-6 would instead require Cap and Trade dollars be used to fund existing transportation projects.

“I do not support the Cap and Trade tax, but drivers are already paying it at the pump to the tune of $1.9 billion a year,” said Runner. “California should not spend another dollar on the high speed rail boondoggle; if taxpayers are being forced to pay, the money should be used for existing transportation purposes.”

Currently, 25 percent of annual Cap and Trade proceeds are used to pay for the failed High Speed Rail project.

SB X1-6 would redirect these funds to the California Transportation Commission to be used for necessary, high priority transportation projects such as fixing our roads and highways.

It would also return the $400 million in Cap and Trade taxes borrowed by the General Fund.

“Instead of High Speed Rail, we should be spending Cap and Trade dollars to restore our badly neglected transportation infrastructure,” said Runner. “Fixing and updating our roads to meet current demands would benefit California’s families and reduce greenhouse gasses right away. I am disappointed the committee members in the majority party don’t understand this.”

SB X1-6 was killed on a party-line vote, receiving two “aye” votes and nine “no” votes.

Elected in March 2015, Sharon Runner represents portions of Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties as Senator for the 21st District. Her district includes the Antelope Valley, Victor Valley and portions of the Santa Clarita Valley.