Buffy Wicks

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1307, previously passed unanimously in the state senate and assembly, Thursday.

The California State Assembly has given final approval to AB 1307, which is now headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk and will take effect immediately if signed, permitting the contentious development of student housing on People’s Park.

California lawmakers are attempting to bypass ongoing litigation in the state Supreme Court to directly approve UC Berkeley’s student housing plan on People’s Park.

The BART Board of Directors voted June 30 to support Senate Bill 532, authored by Sen. Scott Wiener, D-District 11, which temporarily raises Bay Area bridge tolls by $1.50 from January 2024 to December 2028 in order to fund public transit. 

An appellate court ruled Friday that UC Berkeley may not proceed with plans to build student and low-income housing at People’s Park, prompting calls from local and state officials to reform the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, at the heart of the lawsuit.

Incumbent Jenny Wong has won the race for Berkeley city auditor with 10,388 votes as of 10:47 p.m. Tuesday with 100% of precincts accounted for.

Mark Humbert is in the lead for Berkeley City Council District 8 with 64.05% of the votes as of 5 p.m. Wednesday with 100% of the precincts accounted for.

Jenny Wong is running unopposed for reelection as Berkeley’s city auditor. 

Rashi Kesarwani is running for reelection to her seat as District 1 council member for the next term in the 2022 election.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a pair of housing bills Friday to override local zoning codes to allow for more housing and provide labor protections for construction workers.