Could a new housing law free up more space for affordable housing?

The new law in question does away with certain parking minimums — a frequent demand from local governments when approving a new restaurant or apartment building.

Researchers have long argued these mandates add prohibitive costs to development — and stretch out cities, making driving a necessity.

Supporters argue the new law could eventually translate to more affordable units or, in the case of market rate housing, cheaper rents.

The law, penned by Assemblymember Laura Friedman, a Democrat from Burbank, kicks in on Jan. 1, 2023 and only applies to projects within half a mile from a major transit stop.

But the law could inch California closer to meet both its housing and climate goals, its supporters argue.

READ MORE

Voters fighting against redistricting decisions by politicians

Three bills are on Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk to require independent redistricting commissions in Fresno, Kern and Riverside counties. 

If he signs them, those panels would work on districts for the boards of supervisors in those counties starting after the next Census in 2030. 

Advocates in Riverside County aren't waiting on a new commission to draw fairer districts in the future. They're suing to overturn districts drawn by the board of supervisors last year. Riverside County's demographics have also shifted, with increases in the Latino population and Asian populations.

Groups including Inland Empire United and the UCLA Voting Rights Project warned supervisors that the maps they were leaning towards would disenfranchise Latino voters. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit say their input on a map with two majority-Latino districts instead of just one was ignored.

Read the full article by clicking below: