Joanne Webster 4/23/25 Joanne Webster 4/23/25

Kaiser Permanente Recognized by Newsweek for Three North Bay Hospitals for Quality Maternity Care

Newsweek recognizes three North Bay hospitals for quality maternity care

Joanne Webster 4/22/25 Joanne Webster 4/22/25

Kaiser Permanente Marks Milestones in Santa Rosa

Kaiser Permanente marks milestones in Santa Rosa

Joanne Webster 4/21/25 Joanne Webster 4/21/25

Recology Sonoma Marin, in collaboration with Artstart, Announces New Summer Art Program - The Recology ArtStart Student Hub (TRASH)

Recology Sonoma Marin, in collaboration with Artstart, is thrilled to announce our new Summer art program - The Recology ArtStart Student Hub (TRASH)

Joanne Webster 4/15/25 Joanne Webster 4/15/25

Bank of America Delivering for the North Bay

Joanne Webster 4/14/25 Joanne Webster 4/14/25

Sutter Health Opens Primary Care, Urgent Care Clinic in Rohnert Park

Sutter Health opens primary care, urgent care clinic in Rohnert Park

Joanne Webster 3/31/25 Joanne Webster 3/31/25

New Laws in 2025 that May Impact the North Bay

New Laws in 2025 that May Impact the North Bay

Joanne Webster 3/31/25 Joanne Webster 3/31/25

Latest CEQA Reform Effort a ‘Major Needle-Mover,’ Some Housing Advocates Say

Latest CEQA Reform Effort a ‘Major Needle-Mover,’ Some Housing Advocates Say

Joanne Webster 3/31/25 Joanne Webster 3/31/25

New Report: Climate Policies Worsening California's Housing Crisis, by Holland & Knight Partner Jennifer Hernandez

California's housing crisis has been exacerbated by the state's ambitious climate policies, which have inadvertently made housing less affordable and accessible for many residents, according to a new report.

Hernandez writes, "Scores of new laws and regulations are now ritually adopted in California each year in a quixotic effort to conjure millions of desperately needed homes in exactly the areas of the state where housing costs are highest, anti-housing lawsuits are the most likely, and the units being produced are rentals that are unaffordable to the vast “missing middle” of low-, median-, and moderate-income households and render homeownership entirely unattainable.”

She claims that other climate policies further increase housing costs and discourage construction, including massive VMT “mitigation” obligations which burden new housing with outsize obligations to subsidize public transit and bike lanes somewhere (for someone), and to contribute even more funding to income-restricted, lottery-dispersed taxpayer-funded apartments that can cost more than $1 million per apartment to build. Residents of new housing also get burdened by California Air Resources Board (CARB) policy to “decarbonize” new housing by banning lower-cost natural gas appliances, therefore forcing new residents to assume already-extraordinarily high (and growing) electricity costs."

In "Bad Climate for Housing," Jennifer L. Hernandez explores the unintended consequences of California's climate strategies on housing affordability, highlighting the sharp divide between coastal and inland housing markets, the increasing costs driven by climate policies, and the critical shortage of housing permits for median and lower-income households.

This article delves into the complex interplay between environmental regulations and housing development, offering a comprehensive analysis of how well-intentioned climate actions have led to a rolling disaster in the state's housing sector. NBLC’s mission is to support sound public policy. Advocating the need for more housing while supporting responsible climate action in the North Bay remains a priority.

Read the full report here.

Joanne Webster 3/31/25 Joanne Webster 3/31/25

POLICY WATCH – March 2025

March was full of travel and events for me at NBLC. I took some time off to accompany my husband, a history teacher at Tam High School in Mill Valley and chaperoned 12 students to the National High School Model United Nations (NHSMUN) in NYC. Over 2000 delegates (students) from over 70 countries gathered in mid-town Manhattan for an intense week of debate and diplomacy to help them draft solutions to simulated real-world events and communities through a variety of multimedia and educational tools. In addition to learning about the best ways to address global issues, NHSMUN challenges its delegates to experience the power of generosity and service in resolving problems by participating in a service learning project prior to and during the conference—uniting behind specific issues and organizations that are directly related to topics discussed in committee. These extensive programming options allow the delegates to truly engage in their role as model diplomats and global citizens. Watching our youth work together (globally and right here in the NB) gave me hope. And that is so needed right now in these chaotic and uncertain times.

NBLC hosted Josh Fryday, Chief Services Officer, Governor Newsom Cabinet Member before I departend for NHSMUN. As a member of the Governor Gavin Newsom’s Cabinet, Josh Fryday leads California Volunteers and the newly created Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement. We were motivated and inspired by the solutions volunteers are providing for unique challenges in the North Bay. If you want more information about service opportunities or know someone who wants to volunteer, please visit their website here.

In this issue we look at a report detailing how California’s climate policies have increased the cost of housing and how two legislators are doing something about it. We remind you that the crucial vote for the Richmond San Rafael Bridge modified plan is finally here as the BCDC prepares to take up the matter on Thursday, April 3. You will also learn more about NBLC’s upcoming events.