For decades, the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) was untouchable. Originally passed to protect the environment, CEQA evolved into a sprawling law that let almost anyone sue to block nearly any project, not just oil refineries, but also student housing, food banks, daycare centers, bike lanes, and even high-speed rail. Reform was considered politically impossible.
Then, in the final hours of June 2025, that changed. Governor Gavin Newsom called it “the most consequential housing reform we’ve seen in modern history.” CEQA was dramatically scaled back and projects like urban apartments, child care centers, and climate infrastructure were suddenly freed from decades of red tape.
In this episode, hosts Justine, Armand, and Burhan break down how it happened, why it felt impossible until it wasn’t, and what lessons this victory holds for solving other gridlocked challenges. We’re joined by the lawmakers who authored the reforms Senator Scott Wiener and Assemblymember Buffy Wicks for an inside look at how they overcame entrenched interests, shifting political alliances, and years of frustration to deliver a landmark win.
This is a hopeful story about persuasion, persistence, and the power of building movements that make the impossible inevitable.
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