California Democrats sideline Gavin Newsom’s plan to build big things, faster
Dealing a blow to Gov. Gavin Newsom, Democratic legislators today (Thursday) shot down his ambitious attempt to reform state environmental law and make it easier to build big infrastructure projects in California. In a 3-0 vote, a Senate budget committee found Newsom’s package was too complex for last-minute consideration under legislative deadlines. The cutoff for bills to pass out of their house of origin is June 2, just two weeks after the governor rolled out his proposal to adjust the landmark California Environmental Quality Act. The 10 bills include measures to streamline water, transportation and clean energy projects with an eye toward helping the state meet its climate goals.