For Immediate Release
Contact: John Myers
john.myers@calchamber.com | press@calchamber.com
Statewide effort signals strong support for faster, more affordable essential infrastructure improvements
(April 27, 2026) Sacramento, CA—The campaign in support of the Building an Affordable California Act (Affordable CA) today announced it has begun submitting nearly 1 million signatures to county elections officials across California—more than enough to qualify the measure for the November 2026 statewide ballot.
The submission reflects strong, statewide support for reforming California’s outdated project approval process—responsible for the delays in improving essential infrastructure that drive up costs for families and taxpayers.
“California voters are frustrated that it takes too long and costs too much to build the basic projects we need,” said Jennifer Barrera, President and CEO of the California Chamber of Commerce. “From housing and energy to water and wildfire prevention, our outdated way of doing things is driving up costs and holding California back. The Building an Affordable California Act will cut red tape, reduce delays, and help deliver the projects Californians need—faster and more affordably—while maintaining strong environmental protections.”
Affordable CA will modernize California’s decades-old project approval and permitting system by establishing clear, enforceable timelines for agency decisions and judicial review, thus improving accountability and streamlining the process that stalls projects.
Today, major California projects routinely face delays of four to eight years—or longer—due to duplicative review, shifting requirements, and prolonged litigation. Those delays drive up the cost of housing, energy, and critical infrastructure.
“California’s clean energy future depends on building faster,” said Scott Murtishaw, Executive Director of the California Energy Storage Alliance. “Affordable CA will allow us to deploy clean energy, much-needed energy storage, and grid infrastructure at the necessary pace to deliver reliable, affordable power.”
With signature submission underway, the measure will move through the state’s verification process before being certified for the November 2026 ballot.
“Delivering safe, reliable, and affordable water doesn’t happen by accident—it requires timely investment in the infrastructure that communities depend on every day,” said Jennifer Capitolo, Executive Director of the California Water Association. “When critical projects are delayed for years, the consequences result in higher costs and added strain on the systems people rely on. Affordable CA will help streamline water projects so essential water investments can move forward with the urgency and accountability Californians need and deserve, while keeping costs down for customers.”
“California’s housing shortage is a direct result of a system that makes it too difficult and too expensive to build,” said Corey Smith, Executive Director of Housing Action Coalition. “Affordable CA will help cut through the delays that hold back new housing, making it easier to deliver the homes Californians need and bring down costs.”
Affordable CA maintains strong environmental protections and important public input while requiring agencies and courts to make timely, evidence-based decisions.
The campaign has a broad and growing coalition of 85+ supporters — including affordable housing advocates, civil rights organizations, clean energy leaders, water providers, agricultural groups, and business organizations united behind the need to deliver essential projects faster and more affordably.
“We’re excited to take Affordable CA to voters this November,” said Barrera. “And we are confident Californians will join us in delivering a faster, more affordable future.”
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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
