After Newsom Veto, CEQA Fight Moves from the Capitol to the Ballot Box

West Coast Land Use and Environmental Group Leader Jennifer Hernandez was cited in a Sacramento Bee article covering the debate over Proposition 45, a ballot measure that would alter environmental review and approval processes for certain building projects in California. Prop 45 covers eight categories of projects, including housing and public health developments, clean energy projects and water infrastructure, and it would streamline California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) procedures by imposing deadlines for agency and court reviews. The article mentioned Holland & Knight's comprehensive study of CEQA appeals, which found lawsuits focused on housing projects, specifically infill development in towns and cities. Spearheaded by Jennifer, the study concluded CEQA continues to be used as a way to block affordable housing and stymie needed infrastructure. Prop 45, Jennifer argued, resolves many of these issues by creating timelines for CEQA review that could prevent projects from becoming stuck in litigation.

READ: After Newsom Veto, CEQA Fight Moves from the Capitol to the Ballot Box