The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) is under attack. CEQA is blamed by some for virtually all issues, from housing to high gas prices, and there are corresponding calls for its “reform,” a slippery word with a variety of meanings from light-touch efforts to reform to larger dismantling of California’s flagship environmental law. The legislature has responded with various new legislation, mostly specifically targeted at releasing most major infill housing from the law’s control. Now, a ballot initiative sponsored by the California Chamber of Commerce, Proposition 45, aims to significantly reduce the law’s reach over broad areas.

Central to many of these conversations has been Senator Catherine Blakespear. Sen. Blakespear has emerged as one of California’s environmental champions, pushing back against more aggressive rollback proposals.

Senator Blakespear joins the show to discuss her legislative work to protect California’s environment and her thoughts on Prop. 45.