ADVOCATING FOR THE INDUSTRY


If passed, Proposition 45 offers the state infinite opportunities to expedite critical infrastructure for our schools, homes, and communities.


wildfire risk, aging hospitals, and over- crowded schools. Proposition 45 primarily seeks to


Yes on Proposition 45:Building a More Affordable California


BY FELIPE FUENTES O


n November 3, 2026, Californians will once again have the oppor- tunity to shape the future of their


state in the upcoming general election. Following the direct primary, which


occurred on June 2, the General election will provide a resounding conclusion to many pivotal state races, among those the race for California’s next governor. Te election itself will also draw much attention from a variety of interest groups seeking to influence policy through heightened voter turnout and the state’s ballot measure process. Ballot measures often serve as a form


of direct democracy, allowing citizens and proponents to propose new laws or constitutional amendments directly to their electorate of other Californians, bypassing the traditional legislative process. Measures on the upcoming November ballot include, among others, efforts to make permanent the tempo- rary high earners tax, enact a one-time billionaire’s tax, audit new tax spending, grant housing and research bonds, and,


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CALIFORNIA CONSTRUCTOR SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2026


importantly, expedite environmental reviews.


Proposition 45 Boosts Opportunities for Contractors Among the many ballot initiatives that will be presented in November, AGC has taken a strong supportive posi- tion of the essential Proposition 45, a measure for advancing affordability efforts by streamlining infrastructure projects. As builders of infrastructure, this proposition has the potential to boost project approvals, creating endless opportunities for contractors. California’s outdated systems for proj-


ect approval are far too slow, driving up building costs that are then passed on to everyone—from renters to homebuyers to the state’s electricity bills. Permit- ting delays themselves add more than $75,000 to the cost of a new home and billions of dollars to the cost of neces- sary infrastructure. Even further, these delays exacerbate basic infrastructure challenges such as traffic congestion,


address California’s cost-of-living crisis by cutting red tape that hinders essential projects from being built quickly, effi- ciently, and cost-effectively. Te propo- sition delivers essential infrastructure to Californians by streamlining approvals and reducing costs for key projects, thus lowering the cost of living and improving quality of life. Te projects covered in Proposition 45


are essential tenets of many Californians’ lives: housing, public health, water, education facilities, wildfire resilience, transportation, broadband and digital communication, and clean energy.


Speeding up the Project Approval Process Tis streamlining is delivered through five key guardrails that would signifi- cantly speed up the approval process for specified infrastructure projects, manifesting in enforceable timelines for application completion assessment, environmental review certification, and final project approval. Further, the applications must be


assessed based on the laws at the time of submittal, and legal challenges must be evidence-based and issued in accor- dance with application timelines. Additionally, the proposition enacts


all these changes while maintaining the strength of California’s environmental, tribal, and worker protections. Prop- osition 45 does not weaken or exempt projects from pre-existing environmental protections, nor does it diminish the state’s strong labor standards.


Lowering Costs and Spurring Economic Activity If enacted, Proposition 45 has the chance to enact tangible, positive change in


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