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CEQA: That '70s law
La Times Op Ed ^ | 3/30/11 | Bill Allen and Maura O'Connor

Posted on 03/30/2011 9:14:24 AM PDT by NormsRevenge

It goes without saying: California desperately needs jobs. With unemployment hovering above 12% — second highest in the nation — too many Californians are living with the physical and psychological stress of being unemployed and living without any hope of a way out.

So why then do some of our elected officials still act as though we don't have a serious jobs crisis? Why are they refusing to examine certain politically untouchable, "third rail" laws, even though the original intent of some of these laws has been twisted and abused? One of the worst examples .. is the misuse of the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA.

Enacted in the 1970s, the goal of CEQA was — and continues to be — a noble one: to make sure that the public is provided with a good-faith assessment of the reasonably foreseeable environmental impact of a proposed project. .. However, CEQA has expanded from a thoughtful review for environmental purposes to an unruly set of laws and regulations that add complexity, cost, delay and, most problematic, unpredictability, .. All of this hinders job creation and tax revenue generation.

It is not uncommon for businesses, such as retailers, to organize and fund groups to oppose developments by their competitors under the guise of CEQA. ..

Finally, a cottage industry of CEQA lawyers and groups has emerged that oppose far too many developments, threatening or bringing litigation in hopes of simply exacting a financial settlement or "go away" money from the developer of a given project. ..

Abuses of CEQA have proved to be extremely damaging to our economy as well as to our efforts to create what we need most: jobs. The "CEQA gone wild" state of affairs in California has deterred businesses from developing or expanding in the state. ..

(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Editorial; Politics/Elections; US: California
KEYWORDS: california; ceqa

1 posted on 03/30/2011 9:14:28 AM PDT by NormsRevenge
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To: NormsRevenge
Finally, a cottage industry of CEQA lawyers and groups has emerged that oppose far too many developments, threatening or bringing litigation in hopes of simply exacting a financial settlement or "go away" money from the developer of a given project. ..

'Round here we call that extortion. The government in Cal is nothing less than a legalized mafia.

2 posted on 03/30/2011 9:18:34 AM PDT by subterfuge (BUILD MORE NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS NOW!!!)
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To: NormsRevenge

—a great suggestion, which has no chance of getting past the lawyers lobby and the tree-huggers-—


3 posted on 03/30/2011 9:19:33 AM PDT by rellimpank (--don't believe anything the media or government says about firearms or explosives--)
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To: NormsRevenge

From the LATrine?

Is that a pig flying past my window?


4 posted on 03/30/2011 9:20:29 AM PDT by <1/1,000,000th%
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Comment #5 Removed by Moderator

To: <1/1,000,000th%
From the LATrine?

Is that a pig flying past my window?

The LAT/Mirror Corporations is a real estate landowner second only to Southern Pacific Corporation in California (aside from government).

6 posted on 03/30/2011 10:08:53 AM PDT by Carry_Okie (The environment is too complex and too important to manage by central planning.)
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To: Judy Diarya

And just WHO was California’s Governer 30 years ago?


7 posted on 03/30/2011 10:15:06 AM PDT by US Navy Vet
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To: Judy Diarya

Said like a good little Leftist Troll.


8 posted on 03/30/2011 10:20:41 AM PDT by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists, call 'em what you will, they ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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To: rockinqsranch

And just WHAT that Judy said is untrue and you disagree with?


9 posted on 03/30/2011 10:24:42 AM PDT by US Navy Vet
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To: <1/1,000,000th%

oink!


10 posted on 03/30/2011 10:32:08 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard .. Obama: Epic Fail or Bust!!!)
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To: subterfuge

The government in Cal is nothing less than a legalized mafia.

agreed. It’s the closest thing I have ever seen of a Criminal Syndicate impersonating a gubamint, imo. ‘til Obammy came along..


11 posted on 03/30/2011 10:34:39 AM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard .. Obama: Epic Fail or Bust!!!)
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To: US Navy Vet

Blaming California’s demise on Corporate bribes to allow illegals into the State. Blaming Corporate is Leftist when in fact since the sixties the Left have taken this State down the road to “H” primarily with their lock on the legislature.

The Left’s focus on open borders to ultimately increase their voting block is primarily behind the illegals problem.


12 posted on 03/30/2011 10:40:42 AM PDT by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists, call 'em what you will, they ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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To: rockinqsranch

And just WHO would YOU affix the Blame too?


13 posted on 03/30/2011 10:55:00 AM PDT by US Navy Vet
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To: US Navy Vet

I said in my post who I blame. Read it.


14 posted on 03/30/2011 10:58:56 AM PDT by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists, call 'em what you will, they ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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