As calls for reforming California's oft-abused environmental law increase, opponents are digging in their heels in anticipation of Governor Jerry Brown's effort to revise the law to ease approval processes, reports Evan Halper.
Completing a trade trip to China, in which the country's ability to complete large infrastructure projects such as high-speed rail were contrasted with the Governor's difficulties to do the same at home, Jerry Brown addressed the prognosis for CEQA reform.
"A pillar of his plan to let the 'bulldozers roll' on big projects in California has been an overhaul of the state's landmark environmental law, which can tangle development in litigation for years," writes Halper. "Yet before he even boarded his return flight, the governor said he was giving up on any substantial revision this year of the 40-year-old law, which he says stands in the way of progress."
"The appetite for such change 'is bigger outside the state Capitol than it is inside,' Brown said as he sipped tea in the southern port city of Shenzhen on his last full day of events abroad. 'This is not something you get done in a year. There are very powerful forces that are strong in the [Democratic] Party that will resist.'"
"The law 'has turned into something it was never intended to be,' said Matt Regan, vice president of the Bay Area Council, a business advocacy group promoting changes in the law. 'The bulk of CEQA lawsuits filed by labor are not for environmental purposes.'"
"But unions are not the only ones abusing this law," he continued. "Businesses do it. NIMBYs do it. It has become the default for people who want to stop anything."
FULL STORY: Jerry Brown starts push to revamp California's environmental law

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie