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Politics
CEQA Overhaul Dead for This Session
Business groups and some construction unions have been pushing state lawmakers from both parties to overhaul the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, before the legislature adjourns at the end of next week.
But that effort ended abruptly on Thursday. Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg says a CEQA rewrite should not be rushed through in the final days of session, so he’s pledging action next year instead.
“We are going to work to improve this law - a great law, but a law that needs work. It shouldn’t be used as a tool for anything other than the environment. It shouldn’t be used in ways that are not fair,” Steinberg said.
Environmental groups and many Democrats strongly opposed what they called a last-minute political power play to overhaul CEQA. But other Democrats, as well as Republicans, were on board with making the change now, to boost jobs.
