CALIFORNIA – Emerson College conducted a poll, this month, and found that 54% of Californians believe that the state’s high-speed rail project is ‘a good use of state funds.’
Estimates for the statewide project are as high as $135 billion.
The college polled 1,000 California registered voters, February 10-11, 2025.
The results come amid a recent report by the California inspector general that said the initial 171-mile segment between Merced and Bakersfield in the Central Valley is likely to be more than three years behind the 2033 completion date.
The inspector general also reported that the project faces a $6.5 billion funding gap.
President Donald Trump remarked that California’s high-speed rail was ‘the worst managed project’ and that he would soon be launching an investigation.
Newsom has 42% approval rating; Trump has 37% approval rating
Other notable results of the poll include:
- (56%) think mass deportations of undocumented immigrants in California are a bad thing for California.
- Voters under 40 (75%) and over 70 (73%) are most confident climate change contributed to recent wildfires, though a majority of all age groups agree.
- (50%) are confident public safety shut offs can effectively prevent wildfires, while 37% are not confident; 13% are unsure.
- Majorities of Democrats (68%), Republicans (61%), and independents (54%) support increased state spending on firefighter staffing and equipment.
- Governor Gavin Newsom has a 42% job approval among California voters, while 40% disapprove of the job he is doing in office. President Donald Trump holds a 37% job approval rating and 53% disapproval.
Emerson College methodology
The survey collected data in three ways – sending text messages to cell phones with a link to respond online, calling landlines with an automated phone system, and using an online panel of voters from Rep Data.
The poll respondents identified themselves as (46.9%) Democrat, (23.9%) Republican, and (29.2%) Independent.
The survey was only available in English.
