***Join the Fall Wine Walk in Downtown Campbell on Sept. 21***

Mark your calendars because tickets are now available for the highly anticipated fall wine walk in downtown Campbell. The event, organized by the Downtown Campbell Business Association, promises to be a wine lover’s dream, with 20 wineries slated to participate.

If you’re planning to attend, you can purchase advance tickets for just $50 through Sept. 17. After that, the price will increase to $55 for the week leading up to the event. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enjoy a delightful evening of wine tasting and exploration. Get your tickets now at [https://www.downtowncampbell.com/winewalk](https://www.downtowncampbell.com/winewalk).

***California Legislators Pass Bill Aimed at Speeding Up Housing Development***

Exciting news for Californians! The California State Assembly and State Senate have unanimously approved legislation proposed by Sen. Dave Cortese that aims to expedite housing development in the state. The bill, called SB 406, has been designed to cut down on repetitive reviews under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) while still ensuring the preservation of California’s environment.

Sen. Cortese, whose district includes Campbell, expressed his satisfaction with the bill’s passage, stating, “SB 406 cuts red tape without compromising on environmental protection. This bill will streamline permitting and speed up affordable housing production for people with the greatest need.”

With California facing a severe housing crisis, local governments have been exploring various options to encourage affordable housing development. In 2016, as a Santa Clara County supervisor, Cortese championed Measure A, a voter-approved $950 million bond aimed at creating approximately 4,800 affordable housing units. However, government funding for these projects often triggers an evaluation under CEQA.

To address this issue, SB 406 extends an existing CEQA exemption for state financing of affordable housing projects to local governments. This exemption, however, comes with the condition that the project will undergo a CEQA review by another public agency, ensuring the continued scrutiny of environmental impact.

The bill now awaits consideration by Gov. Gavin Newsom, as it inches closer to becoming law. Californians can look forward to a potentially smoother and more efficient housing development process in the near future.

***Government Initiatives Bring Hope to California’s Affordable Housing Crisis***

The housing crisis in California has prompted local governments to take proactive measures to address the lack of affordable housing options. One such initiative was championed by Sen. Dave Cortese, whose efforts led to the passing of Measure A, a $950 million bond to create affordable housing units.

However, securing government funding for these projects often triggers a review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), which assesses the potential environmental impact of construction. This additional layer of evaluation can slow down the development process, exacerbating an already urgent housing crisis.

To tackle this issue, Sen. Cortese proposed SB 406, a bill that seeks to streamline the permitting process for affordable housing projects. The bill aims to reduce repetitive reviews under CEQA while maintaining the environmental protection measures set forth by the legislation.

If signed into law by Gov. Gavin Newsom, SB 406 will extend an existing CEQA exemption for state financing of affordable housing projects to local governments. Although the exemption grants some relief from the evaluation process, the projects will still undergo a CEQA review by another public agency to ensure environmental safeguards are upheld.

Sen. Cortese believes that this bill strikes a balance between cutting red tape and protecting the environment. He stated, “SB 406 cuts red tape without compromising on environmental protection. This bill will streamline permitting and speed up affordable housing production for people with the greatest need.”

Californians can now wait eagerly for the governor’s decision on SB 406, as they anticipate potential improvements to the affordable housing development process.

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