With Election Day coming up Tuesday, California voters will be deciding on ballot measures that could affect their communities. For students at Cal State Monterey Bay and other young voters, Proposition 45 calls into question affordable housing, transportation and environmental protection.
This proposition sparks the debate over whether California should speed up infrastructure projects or maintain existing environmental review procedures.
The California Environmental Quality Act, more commonly referred to as CEQA, requires the government agencies to review the potential environmental impacts on certain development projects before approving them.
Proposition 45 would change the process for projects that involve housing, transportation, water, healthcare and other infrastructure by setting stricter deadlines for environmental reviews and legal challenges.
Supporters of Proposition 45 include the California Chamber of Commerce and California Republican Party. They argue that the current environmental review process delays the important projects and it also increases construction costs.
They believe by setting stricter deadlines that would help housing, hospitals, water systems and clean energy projects to move quickly.
Opponents include the California Democratic Party and environmental organizations that argue the changes could weaken the environmental protections and can limit opportunities for public involvement.
Opponents question if faster project approvals would actually make housing and other services more affordable.
Sharon Anderson, an environmental professor at CSUMB, expressed concerns about how the measure could affect environmental protections.
“Implementation would determine whether or not the environmental review is sufficient to protect the environment,” Anderson said.
Peter Garcia, the Associated Students sustainability senator, also raised concerns about environmental reviews.
“When we disregard those protections, which are in place for a reason, we risk kind of undermining the whole point of those projections,” Garcia said.
If Prop 45 does pass, housing, transportation, water, healthcare and clean energy projects will create an optional, expedited review process for eligible projects.
Anderson also empathizes with the importance of affordable housing for young people.
“Afforable housing is what’s going to affect people, you know, college students as they graduate,” Anderson said.
The Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates state and local governments and courses would face initial costs in the high tens of millions of dollars annually, which is potentially more than $100 million, over the first several years, that’s partly covered by fees.
If Proposition 45 fails then existing environmental review procedures would remain in place.
Those long term effects on construction costs, then housing affordability and environment remain uncertain.
Jasmine Torres, the Associated Students vice president of external affairs, said the organization worked to educate students about the upcoming election through events such as Puppies and Policies, and Books and Ballots that happen on CSUMB campus.
“Our goal is really to give as much information as possible,” Torres said.
For California voters, this proposition raises questions about balancing faster development with environmental protections and public involvement.
As supporters argue this measure could help address the state’s housing and the infrastructure needs, opponents express concerns about its possible environmental effects.
“It’s important to vote, to show up for the community, to show up for others who can’t vote, showing up for others who have reasons that they don’t feel safe voting,” Torres said.
For college students and young voters, learning these changes is important since these decisions are about housing, transportation, and environmental protections that could affect their communities for years to come.