Just say “NO” to “Building an Affordable California Act.”

The website buildaffordableca.com promotes the Building an Affordable California Act, a 2026 ballot measure sponsored by the California Chamber of Commerce that has already hit the 25% signature threshold ahead of schedule. It targets reforming CEQA—the state’s environmental review law—by streamlining approvals and curbing “frivolous lawsuits” across a range of projects, including single- and multi-family housing, senior/student homes, hospitals, schools, roads, clean energy, water supply, wildfire prevention, and broadband.

They claim the current “outdated, bureaucratic” system adds $75,000+ to the cost of every new home, jacks up rents/mortgages, delays infrastructure, and hikes costs for everyone—while slowing environmental progress on pollution, fires, and emissions. The fix? Faster builds, job creation, lower living costs, all while supposedly keeping “strong” environmental, worker, and tribal protections intact.

As a Redondo Beach resident committed to local control over zoning and planning, this is classic statewide overreach dressed up as affordability help. By gutting CEQA challenges and fast-tracking projects, it undermines our community’s ability to review, shape, or stop developments that could overwhelm traffic, schools, parks, and neighborhood character. Housing needs exist, but not through top-down mandates that let big business and special interests bypass local input. We decide what fits our city—not Sacramento bureaucrats or chamber lobbyists claiming “red tape” is the only villain. True affordability comes from addressing wages and inequality, not eroding home rule for more unchecked building.

If you are asked to sign for the petition ” Building an Affordable California Act -” to get it onto the ballot, just say “NO.”