California Legislative Session Hits Midway Mark: What's the Environment Score at Halftime?

[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Traci Sheehan
Executive Director
Planning and Conservation League

Last week marked the legislative deadline for all bills introduced this year to move out of their first house. That means all bills introduced in the Assembly had to pass out of the Assembly and those introduced in the Senate had to pass out of the Senate. With summer right around the corner, we now move into the second half of the legislative year.

Our quick halftime analysis reveals that, on a whole, the environment fared well. However, we're very disappointed to report that two landmark measures backed by the Planning and Conservation League will be warming the bench for the second half of 2008.

We'll Be Back: Campaign to Improve Public Process for Environmental Review Continues Despite Senate Vote

SB 1165 (Kuehl), the bill to strengthen the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) by requiring greater transparency in the drafting of Environmental Impact Reports (EIRs) and greater public access in the process, lost a tough battle in the Senate last Thursday when the bill failed to get the needed twenty-one votes to move to the Assembly.

This important policy enjoyed the support of over sixty community groups and statewide and national environmental organizations. SB 1165 supporters demonstrated their commitment to strengthening CEQA by flooding legislative offices with phone calls and emails in the days leading up to the vote.

However, at the end of the day the business interests and developers that do not support increased public participation were able to win a temporary victory, blocking the bill's progress.

We'd like to take a moment to thank all of you who called your senator to support the bill. With the momentum you've helped us generate we will carry on the fight, building even greater support and a broader coalition for next year.

To find out how your senator voted on this and other measures, visit the legislative section of our website.

Groundbreaking Water Policy Fails Passage Days Before Governor Declares State Drought

Despite our current water crisis and strong support from over thirty-five organizations, including water agencies, cities, and environmental and environmental justice organizations, last Thursday the Assembly failed to pass AB 2153 (Krekorian/Hancock) the Water Efficiency & Security Act.