Fonda-Schmidt Campaign Against CA Housing Reform Raises Eyebrows

California's Prop. 45 aims to reform the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which is widely criticized for slowing down housing developments. However, Jane Fonda and Wendy Schmidt, the wife of Google billionaire Eric Schmidt, are leading a campaign against it through their environmental PAC Clean and Healthy California.

The pair argue that Prop. 45 would gut the law protecting California's environment, allowing polluters to destroy communities. They claim that CEQA is used by NIMBYs to tie up projects in court, leading to roadblocks in getting new housing built.

Despite having rare bipartisan support, with 73% of voters backing it, including 80% of Democrats and 61% of Republicans, according to the Public Policy Institute of California, Fonda and Schmidt's campaign has raised over $7 million since June. Prop. 45 would set limits on environmental reviews of housing, infrastructure, water, healthcare, and clean energy projects.

Supporters of Prop. 45 say it will make housing more affordable by reducing the costs associated with CEQA delays. However, Fonda has blasted the campaign for Prop. 45 as a plot by polluters to destroy the environment.