Why Circulate Planning & Policy Supports Prop 45
California's cost of living is out of control because our outdated system for approving essential projects is too slow, too bureaucratic, and too costly—making it harder to build the housing, transit, and other infrastructure our communities depend on. These unnecessary delays drive up costs for families, businesses, and taxpayers while making California less affordable for everyone.
That's why Circulate supports Prop 45, the Building an Affordable California Act on the November 2026 ballot.
Prop 45 creates clear, enforceable timelines for environmental review, agency permitting, and judicial review for eligible projects. Rather than allowing projects to become trapped in years of bureaucratic delay and costly litigation, Prop 45 establishes accountability from application through final court decisions. By creating certainty throughout the approval process, the measure is expected to accelerate essential projects by 2 to 10 or more years, reducing costs and delivering benefits to Californians sooner.
Just as importantly, Prop 45 does not eliminate environmental review or weaken environmental protections. Every eligible project must still comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and all applicable federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. The measure simply ensures that environmental review, permitting decisions, and any legal challenges are completed within reasonable, enforceable deadlines instead of dragging on indefinitely.
For too long, unnecessary delays have increased the cost of nearly everything Californians rely on. Permitting delays can add years to building timelines, forcing families to wait even longer to realize the benefits of affordable housing. Further, permitting delays alone add more than $75,000 to the cost of a new home. Prop 45 cuts unnecessary red tape, lowers project costs, and helps deliver the infrastructure Californians need faster. This means California will be able to more quickly deliver affordable housing that strengthens our communities and economy.
Prop 45 also preserves local control. Cities and counties retain their authority to approve or deny projects, and Californians continue to have meaningful opportunities to participate throughout the project approval process. The measure creates a process that is faster, fairer, and more predictable—not one that sacrifices accountability or environmental protections.
More than 145 organizations representing affordable housing, healthcare, water providers, agricultural producers, clean energy leaders, social justice advocates, and small business leaders support Prop 45 because California cannot afford to keep delaying the essential projects that improve quality of life and make our state more affordable.
California deserves a permitting system that protects the environment and delivers the infrastructure families, workers, businesses, and communities need.
Learn more about Prop 45 at: www.YesOnProp45.com
