For Immediate Release
Contact: John Myers
john.myers@calchamber.com | press@calchamber.com
Early momentum and broad coalition reflect strong voter support for reducing our cost of living by cutting red tape and building essential projects faster
(February 6, 2026) Sacramento, CA—Today, the Building an Affordable California Act campaign notified the California Secretary of State that it has surpassed the 25% signature threshold required to qualify the measure for the November 2026 ballot—reaching the milestone weeks ahead of schedule.
The early achievement reflects strong voter support for fixing California’s outdated project approval system, where long delays drive up costs that are ultimately passed on to renters, homebuyers, families paying electricity and water bills, and taxpayers. By modernizing the approval process, the measure helps California address our high cost of living by delivering essential projects faster—including housing, clean energy, water infrastructure, transportation, and schools—while keeping strong environmental and labor protections fully intact.
“Californians have too long paid the price for bureaucratic red tape and delays, and they’re ready for solutions,” said Jennifer Barrera, President & CEO, California Chamber of Commerce. “Reaching this milestone early shows voters are eager to modernize the project approval process so we can build what we need, bring costs down, and make California more affordable. We can protect the environment and good-paying jobs while delivering the essential projects California urgently needs.”
The campaign is supported by a broad and growing coalition of affordable housing advocates, civil-rights leaders, clean energy advocates, health care providers, water providers, agricultural groups, and business organizations united around a shared goal: lowering the cost of living and delivering the basics Californians depend on.
“Unnecessary permitting delays drive up costs and slow the delivery of critical water infrastructure Californians depend on every day. The Building an Affordable California Act modernizes the process, providing clear timelines and accountability so we can focus investing in delivering clean, reliable water without sacrificing environmental or community protections,” said Jennifer Capitolo, Executive Director, California Water Association.
“High costs disproportionately harm Black & Brown families and communities of color. By accelerating essential infrastructure, the Building an Affordable California Act helps lower costs and make sure communities get the basic services they deserve,” said Rick Callender, President, NAACP California/Hawaii Conference.
“Building clean energy faster means lower bills, cleaner air, and more reliable power. The Building an Affordable California Act delivers real benefits for Californians while keeping the state on track to meet its climate goals,” said Alex Jackson, Executive Director, American Clean Power – California.
“California’s housing shortage is one of the biggest drivers of our affordability crisis, and project delays only make it worse. The Building an Affordable California Act cuts unnecessary delays so homes can be built faster and at lower cost—helping more families find housing they can afford,” said Dan Dunmoyer, President & CEO, California Building Industry Association.
“We are proud to support the Building an Affordable California Act—it cuts permitting red tape, delays, and bureaucracy so we can build the housing we need and lower rent and mortgage costs for Californians,” said Corey Smith, Executive Director, Housing Action Coalition.
“Water is essential in producing a healthy and affordable food supply. The Building an Affordable California Act helps improve access to water by reducing delays and costs of our vital water projects so our family farms can keep food more cost effective for California families and continue feeding the nation and the world,” said Emily Rooney, President, Agricultural Council of California.
BACKGROUND: The Building an Affordable California Act modernizes California’s project approval and permitting process for essential projects—including housing, water infrastructure, clean energy, transportation infrastructure, hospitals and health care facilities, schools and educational facilities, broadband, and wildfire prevention and resilience projects—by establishing clear timelines, improving accountability, and reducing unnecessary delays, while preserving strong environmental, labor, and tribal cultural resource protections.
Learn More: BuildAffordableCA.com
Ad paid for by Committee to Build an Affordable California, Sponsored by the California Chamber of Commerce. Ad Committee’s Top Funders:
Building a Better California
Edison International & Affiliated Entities
California Building Industry Association
Funding details at www.fppc.ca.gov
