‘Yes, no, maybe’: Gov. Newsom could still pursue California Forever plan despite local vote against shipyard development
VALLEJO, Calif. —
Gov. Gavin Newsom signaled Wednesday he’s not ready yet to scrap his administration’s plan that could make it easier for a major business to set up shop in a plot of land bought by billionaires known as California Forever.
Hours after the Solano County Board of Supervisors voted to avoid taking a position on the governor’s proposal that would help the developers of California Forever, the governor would not commit to halting the effort as the end of California’s lawmaking session draws near.
“This just happened last night, I haven’t even had a chance to process it with the team,” Newsom told reporters at an economic development-related press conference in Vallejo. “There’s yes, no and maybe because we have to see.”
In a deal between the area’s state lawmakers, California Forever and the Newsom administration, state leaders have been prepared to propose changes to state law to make it easier for a future shipyard or manufacturer to develop in Southern Solano County by fast-tracking environmental lawsuits that could be filed against it. It would also allow the development to speed-up the environmental review process by allowing it to use a 2008 environmental impact report.
The proposal has not been placed into legislation even though California’s legislative deadline is days away on Aug. 31.
The push comes months after Saronic Technologies chose to develop a new shipyard in Texas instead of California Forever. California Forever’s special counsel has told KCRA 3 there are other manufacturers interested in the area but have not disclosed who exactly.
“I thought the question the board was asked, I would’ve voted on that in a nano-second,” Newsom said. When a reporter noted the board worried the proposal was rushed, the governor replied, “Well, continue to do what you’ve done you get what you got.”
Assemblywoman Lori Wilson, who represents Solano County in the state legislature, was at the governor’s press conference and stood a few feet behind him as he made the remarks to reporters.
Wilson had said in a statement Tuesday night supporting what the Solano County Board of Supervisors decided. Following the governor’s remarks, Wilson told KCRA 3 Wednesday afternoon she had not yet spoken to him about it.
“I have always said they were in the driver’s seat and I would follow their lead, and they have said at this time they’re not ready to support legislation during this session and I stand by that,” she said.
“I support localism, I support that,” Newsom told reporters. “But this framework is a well-established framework, I don’t think it was a big ask. I think it’s inevitable they’ll ultimately embrace it.”
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