California lawmakers critique bullet-train plan

California lawmakers are questioning a major change in the plans for a San Francisco-to-Los Angeles high-speed rail line.

Members of the Assembly Transportation Committee got their first chance Monday to critique the new business plan for the $64 billion project.

Democratic Assemblywoman Cheryl Brown of San Bernardino says she’s troubled by last month’s decision to build the northern segment before the southern, a major shift from earlier plans.

High Speed Rail Authority officials say the trains may arrive north first, but Southern California will be the first to see funding for other mass transit projects.

The experts apologized to Democratic Assemblyman Adam Gray for failing to notify officials in his Merced district of the change. Previous versions of the train blueprint would have run the first trains between Merced and the San Fernando Valley.