Nine people are supposed to make sure your money is well spent. One of them runs the trade association that represents the contractors getting paid. Two are real estate developers acquiring land in the project corridor. On January 21, 2026, all nine voted yes โ unanimously, in a closed session โ on the largest single payout in the project's history. Not one board member recused. This is who they are.
The board that approves CAHSR contracts includes the CEO of a major construction trade association (whose members hold CAHSR contracts), a real estate developer with Central Valley projects, and a former Newsom legislative aide now working as a lobbyist. None of these individuals are required by law to recuse themselves from votes affecting their industries.