SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – Gov. Jerry Brown is defending two massive and much-scrutinized infrastructure projects in his State of the State address. He’s acknowledging there are “obstacles” in the ambitious plan to build a high-speed train from Los Angeles to San Francisco, the cost of which has skyrocketed since it was first proposed. Brown argues pursing the project will still be cheaper than expanding airports or building new freeways. He says: “Difficulties challenge us but they can’t discourage us.” Brown also says he has persisted with a plan to bring water from the north to the south through massive tunnels because it is “vital” to California. Brown’s administration has recently decided to consider one tunnel instead of two. He says he believes the project can conserve water and protect wildlife. Republican lawmakers say California’s leaders need to remember the working class and small businesses even as Gov. Jerry Brown touts the state’s successes. Assembly Republican Leader Brian Dahle of Bieber says California is not just home to tech billionaires, but to working class people who struggle daily to afford basic needs. Assemblyman Vince Fong of Bakersfield criticizes billions of dollars in higher taxes imposed while Brown has been in office. Assemblyman Matthew Harper of Huntington Beach says Brown should dump high-speed rail, spending high taxes and other funds on improving roads.