As part of this year's budget process, Governor Jerry Brown is expected to ask state lawmakers to approve $2.7 billion in voter-approved state bonds.  They would go towards the first phase of track in the Central Valley.  In a recent interview with Capital Public Radio, High-Speed Rail Authority Board Chair Dan Richard suggested that amount might go up:

Richard: "It might.  It might well.  But I think at this point, that makes sense."

Richard said the extra bond funds would be for regional rail projects in the Bay Area and Los Angeles that would benefit high-speed rail too - thus completing the project less expensively and more efficiently.

After the interview aired, Richard sent state lawmakers a letter clarifying his comments: Any extra bond funds for the regional projects would be asked for in future years, not this one.