An artist's rendering of a high-speed-rail station.

An artist's rendering of a high-speed-rail station. (California High-Speed Rail Authority / July 16, 2012)

July 16, 2012 | 11:27 a.m.
With the state Legislature on summer recess, a bipartisan delegation of 10 Assembly members is in Washington, D.C., this week meeting with federal officials on issues including healthcare reform, veterans’ disability benefits and immigration.

Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez (D-Los Angeles) is leading the trip to meet with Obama administration officials including Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and congressional leaders including Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer from California.

In meetings scheduled through Thursday, the state lawmakers are also interested in talking to their federal counterparts about transportation funding, the farm bill and the closure of military bases, according to Assemblyman Jeff Gorell (R-Camarillo), who is part of the delegation.

In recently approving funding for the first phase of a high-speed rail system, some legislators said they want assurances that there will be additional federal matching dollars for the project.

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-- Patrick McGreevy, Los Angeles Times