Normally I avoid these kinds of apples-oranges comparisons, but it is hard not to benchmark California against Morocco for HSR projects. Both California and Morocco started their respective projects in 2008. While California is stuck doing property acquisitions and environmental studies, it is full-steam ahead in Morocco:
Morocco will debut its first high-speed train by the end of this year. Testing has started on the French-made double-decker train cars that will reach speeds of 320km/h. The trains will carry passengers from the northern city of Tangier to Casablanca and cut travel time by half. Funded by governments in Morocco, France, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, the project costs $2 billion.
According to ONCF, tests occurred on several kilometers of the new line with gradual increases in speed, and it was determined that the line is suitable for traffic at 320 kilometers per hour. In May, the test train reached a speed of 357 km/h linking the cities of Tangier and Kenitra, so it is expected to connect the two cities in only 90 minutes.
The Morocco project is 220 miles, similar distance as an initial operating segment in California. Morocco is also upgrading a conventional line to 140 mph.
Systemic Failure 
Interesting that now Morocco has faster rail than most of the USA. While Morocco is wealthy by African standards, it is quite a poor country. But not so poor that it cannot justify fast rail transport. And California’s excuse is … what?