Buffy Wicks

Featuring State Senator Scott Wiener, who co-authored groundbreaking housing legislation, and Assemblywoman Buffy Wicks, known for her work promoting high-density projects, this discussion tackles California's massive housing crisis. They delve into the legislative reforms that could finally break the hold of the California Environmental Quality Act on development. The conversation highlights the pressing need for affordable housing, the rise of the YIMBY movement, and how recent laws aim to create an abundance of housing options to meet demand.

Buffy Wicks, an Oakland Assemblymember, and Scott Wiener, a San Francisco State Senator, join to tackle California's housing crisis. They discuss their groundbreaking bills aimed at reforming CEQA, which has become a hurdle for housing developments. The conversation dives into how well-meaning environmental laws have been manipulated by various groups, delaying crucial projects. They also explore the political shifts enabling these reforms and the balance needed between environmental protection and the urgent demand for affordable housing.

Buffy Wicks, a California State Assembly member driving CEQA reforms, joins industry expert Patrick Kennedy and policy analyst Sarah Karlinsky. They discuss the challenges of California's housing crisis, highlighting the urgent need for new policies to accelerate development. Aditi Bandlamudi provides insights into local housing issues, emphasizing the impact of environmental regulations on building costs. The panel debates whether recent legislative changes can truly ease the housing shortage while balancing community concerns with sustainability.