Calif. Seeks Appellate Hearing On High-Speed Rail

SACRAMENTO (AP) — Gov. Jerry Brown's administration is asking the 3rd District Court of Appeal to intervene in rulings that have slowed progress on building the nation's first high-speed rail system.

In a filing Monday, the administration asks the state appellate court to overturn a Sacramento County Superior Court judge's rulings in a lawsuit filed by Kings County farmers and landowners.

Judge Michael Kenny ordered the California High-Speed Rail Authority to draft a new funding plan and blocked the sale of $8.6 billion in bonds.

The filing says "the stakes are high and the risks are great" if the ruling stands. Finance officials also are worried the ruling could set a precedent for other bonds.

Opponents filed their brief to the court last week. The judges now will consider whether to hear it.

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