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California making major changes to a landmark environmental law from the 1970s to address the state's ongoing housing crisis
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As part of the state budget, California lawmakers made big changes to the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA
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Originally signed by former Governor Ronald Reagan in 1970, CEQA required strict examination of new developments for environmental impact
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While Governor Gavin Newsom says the law is well-intentioned, it's also put a major red tape on housing construction
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Changes to CEQA will allow more housing to be built quicker. These include CEQA exemption for urban infill areas and expediting processes for housing and infrastructure projects
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We have too much demand chasing too little supply. It's not complicated
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This is Econ 101, supply-demand imbalance. I've said it before, I'll repeat it
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this issue of housing explains more things in more ways and more days than any other issue
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to explain the challenges and the plight of so many Californians. So many of the challenges that
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ALS can be connected back to this issue. Environmental groups like the California
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Native Plant Society criticize the changes, saying environmental review requirements are good for both the environment and public transparency. For Straight Arrow News, I'm
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Kaylee Carey. For more unbiased, fact-driven news, download the Straight Air News mobile app today or go to san.com