As California races toward its state budget deadline, a major housing bill has become the centerpiece of a political standoff. Governor Gavin Newsom has issued a firm warning: no vote on this housing legislation, no signed budget. Yet, with the bill still not officially written and the Monday deadline looming, lawmakers are running out of time. The high-stakes drama combines budget brinkmanship, environmental policy, and wage disputes in one of the state’s most critical legislative battles of the year.
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Governor’s Housing Ultimatum
Governor Newsom has drawn a clear line. He insists that the state budget is contingent on passing a housing bill designed to speed up residential construction. Without it, he says he will reject the entire budget agreement. The move places immense pressure on lawmakers just days before the fiscal deadline.
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The Bill That Doesn’t Exist Yet
Despite its central role in the budget talks, the housing bill still hasn’t been published. California law requires legislation to be in print at least 72 hours before a vote. If the bill isn’t made public by Friday, lawmakers can’t vote on it by Monday, potentially triggering a budget crisis…