Voters Strongly Support CalChamber’s Proposal to Modernize CEQA

An overwhelming majority of likely California voters say they would vote in favor of Proposition 45, a November ballot measure sponsored by CalChamber to modernize the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

A new statewide poll from the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) finds 73% support Prop 45, the Building an Affordable California Act. This is the first public poll to ask voters about the measure, which would update the approval and permitting process for essential projects - including housing, water infrastructure, clean energy, transportation infrastructure, hospitals and health care facilities, schools and educational facilities, broadband, and wildfire prevention and resilience projects.

Prop 45 would establish clear timelines that would improve accountability and reduce unnecessary delays while preserving strong environmental, labor, and tribal cultural resource protections.

"The message from California voters is unmistakable: the status quo isn't working, and we're all paying the price," said CalChamber President & CEO Jennifer Barrera. "When it takes years longer than necessary to build affordable housing, clean water infrastructure, hospitals, and clean energy projects, the costs are passed along to families already struggling with California's high cost of living. Prop 45 is about making California more affordable by cutting unnecessary delays to deliver the essential projects our communities need faster and more affordably."

While the survey found support across all political parties and regions, support was especially strong among Californians most affected by the state's affordability crisis, with 82% of renters and 82% of voters earning less than $40,000 annually supporting the measure.

More than 145 organizations have thrown their support behind the November ballot measure - a coalition that includes affordable housing advocates, civil rights leaders, clean energy builders, water providers, agricultural groups, and business organizations.