The Golden State’s tug-of-war between environmental advocacy and a worsening housing crisis came to a head Monday evening when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law two bills that will overhaul the landmark California Environmental Quality Act in an effort to ease new construction in the state. The two pieces of legislation, Assembly Bill 130 and Senate Bill 131, were linchpins in the approval of a proposed $320-billion annual state budget deal; the governor’s signature was conditional on their passage. … “Today’s bill is a game changer, which will be felt for generations to come,” the governor said in a statement. Development experts agreed, saying it is among the most significant reforms to CEQA in its 55-year history. But its passage sparked fierce backlash from environmental groups who say it marks a sweeping reversal of essential protections for the state’s most vulnerable landscapes, wildlife and communities.

Other CEQA and California budget news:

• Bloomberg: California scales back controversial environmental review law​
• ABC News: California just rolled back a landmark environmental policy. Here’s what it means.
• The Washington Post: California weakens major environmental law to make way for more housing
• Daily Republic (Fairfield, Calif.): Cabaldon says it is time to ‘move on’ from Delta tunnel