Prop. 45 explained

Why is California, the state that basically invented environmental review, about to vote on overhauling part of it? Let's talk Prop 45. Here's the deal. Proposition 45 would speed up approvals under CEQA, a big environmental law in California for eight kinds of projects. Think housing, hospitals, schools, clean energy, water, transportation, wildfire prevention, and broadband. How? Deadlines. Agencies would get 365 business days to approve or reject a project. Courts would get 270 days to settle lawsuits. That's it. Supporters, business groups, and affordable housing advocates say CEQA lawsuits drag projects out for years, jacking up your rent and mortgage. Opponents, environmental groups, and state Democrats say it tilts the scale toward developers and weakens local control. They also warn it could sneak in data centers. Supporters have pushed back hard, and legislative attorneys recently said the legal definition closest to the one used by the measure likely doesn't open it to them. And Governor Newsom, he's blasted the weaponization of CEQA, but hasn't taken a side on Prop 45. It's only one of two he hasn't. So on November 3rd, it's your call. Faster building or thorough review.