Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Buffy Wicks @buffywicks.bsky.social · 15h

For too long, opening a restaurant in CA has meant endless hurdles & delays.

With @governor.ca.gov's signature on AB 671, we’re making it easier for small restaurateurs to turn their ideas into reality — opening doors faster, hiring sooner & bringing new energy to our main streets.

Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · 15h

🔗 These bills help continue California's entrepreneurial spirit and growth by providing additional support for restaurant owner:

Governor Newsom signs new laws to help restaurant owners keep California cooking | Governor of California

www.gov.ca.gov

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Buffy Wicks @buffywicks.bsky.social · 1d

Great morning at Berkeley’s Emerson Elementary for Int’l Walk & Roll to School Day — so many students starting their day w/fresh air & community!

Special thanks to everyone who donated helmets in appreciation of Mr. Bob, a beloved volunteer whose own helmet recently saved his life.

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Buffy Wicks @buffywicks.bsky.social · 2d

California’s leadership in quantum innovation starts right here in AD-14. Congratulations to @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social Professor John Clarke on receiving the 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics — a remarkable achievement that reflects the cutting-edge research happening in our own backyard.

UC Berkeley @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social · 2d

John Clarke, UC Berkeley emeritus professor, has been awarded the 2025 #NobelPrize in #Physics. The @nobelprize.bsky.social committee honored Clarke "for the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunneling and energy quantization in an electric circuit." news.berkeley.edu/2025/10/07/j...

John Clarke, UC Berkeley emeritus professor, awarded 2025 Nobel Prize in Physics - Berkeley News

The Nobel Prize committee honored Clarke "for the discovery of macroscopic quantum mechanical tunneling and energy quantization in an electric circuit."

news.berkeley.edu

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Buffy Wicks @buffywicks.bsky.social · 6d

This law is about dignity and fairness for the people who keep California moving.

With AB 1340, drivers finally have a meaningful seat at the table to stand together, bargain for better pay + protections, & help build a gig economy that works for the people behind the wheel.

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Buffy Wicks @buffywicks.bsky.social · 6d

Quantum will define the future — and w/AB 940, California is claiming its place at the forefront.

Thank you @governor.ca.gov for signing this bill to position CA to lead in quantum innovation, create good-paying jobs, and unlock immense economic value for our state.

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Buffy Wicks @buffywicks.bsky.social · 29d

I’m horrified by the assassination of Charlie Kirk. It’s a heartbreaking, terrible moment for all who believe in democracy, and the greatest loss imaginable for his family. Political violence like this must be condemned forcefully and unequivocally. My heart goes out to his family.

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Reposted by Buffy Wicks

Everybody Gets Pie @everybodygetspie.bsky.social · Aug 26

Today we’re launching our new podcast: Everybody Gets Pie 🥧 - conversations about making America abundant again: housing, energy, childcare, innovation & more.

Ep. 1: The landmark CEQA reform in California with @scottwiener.bsky.social‬ & @buffywicks.bsky.social.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEMG...

The Law That Stopped California with Sen Scott Wiener & Asm Buffy Wick (EP 1)

YouTube video by Everybody Gets Pie

www.youtube.com

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Buffy Wicks @buffywicks.bsky.social · Aug 29

A huge win for Californians, whether they are behind the wheel or riding in the back. Now, 800K drivers have a seat at the table to fight for fair wages & better working conditions.

Grateful to the Governor, leg. leaders & labor + tech partners who made this happen.
www.latimes.com/california/s...

Newsom, California lawmakers strike deal that would allow Uber, Lyft drivers to unionize

Gov. Gavin Newsom and California lawmakers on Friday announced a deal with Uber and Lyft on a bill that would allow hundreds of thousands of rideshare drivers to form unions and bargain collectively w...

www.latimes.com

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Buffy Wicks @buffywicks.bsky.social · Aug 21

My statement on the Assembly’s passage of California’s redistricting bills 👇

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Reposted by Buffy Wicks

KQED Forum @kqedforum.bsky.social · Aug 19

🎙️ ON AIR:

KQED's Adhiti Bandlamudi, @ternerhousing.bsky.social's @skarlinsky.bsky.social, Panoramic Interests' Patrick Kennedy & CA Assemblymember
@buffywicks.bsky.social on how CEQA reform could impact housing in the Bay.

❓What kind of homes do you want to see get built?

📻 Listen to Forum:

Will New CEQA Reforms Bring More Housing to California? | KQED

We talk about how much of a difference CEQA reform could make in addressing the Bay Area's housing shortage and where – and when – we might see new developments.

buff.ly

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Buffy Wicks @buffywicks.bsky.social · Aug 19

Big thanks to everyone who came out for our Wildfire Preparedness Day in El Cerrito! From evacuation planning to home hardening, AD-14 showed up ready to prepare.

Deep gratitude to my constituents and to our local elected officials who joined us — you help make our district stronger and safer.

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Buffy Wicks @buffywicks.bsky.social · Jul 30

Too often, we talk about wildfires after the damage is done. Let’s flip that script. 

AD-14 residents, join me Aug. 16 at El Cerrito City Hall for a free, family-friendly event with experts, local fire chiefs, resources, and kids’ activities. RSVP: asmdc.org/bz-wildfire

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Buffy Wicks @buffywicks.bsky.social · Jul 29

We can’t meet CA's clean energy goals without making it easier to build solar in the right places. My bill, AB 1156, gives water‑stressed farmers a voluntary path to do just that while keeping local control. Thanks to @sammyroth.bsky.social for highlighting this work: www.latimes.com/environment/...

Commentary: California needs a little less farmland, a lot more solar power

It's an easy climate solution. But really, there's no such thing.

www.latimes.com

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Buffy Wicks @buffywicks.bsky.social · Jul 16

I’m excited AB 130 got signed into law. But what I’m more looking forward to is its efficacy.

I’m done with bill signing ceremonies. I want groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings.

Because that’s the measure that matters: are we solving problems?

youtube.com/shorts/y8pM_...

Why I'm tired of bill signings -- A few thoughts on AB 130, CEQA reform, and CA's housing crisis.

YouTube video by Buffy Wicks for Assembly

youtube.com

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Reposted by Buffy Wicks

Robert Cruickshank @robertcruickshank.com · Jul 1

Jerry Brown once said CEQA reform is "the lord's work."

With all due respect to any divinity that may or may not exist...this work got done by Gov. Newsom, Speaker Rivas, Asm. Wicks, Sen. Wiener, and thousands of YIMBYs across California.

California YIMBY @cayimby.bsky.social · Jul 1

[VICTORY ALERT] AB 130, which creates a broad CEQA exemption for infill housing projects, has been signed by Governor Newsom. Because it is part of the budget, it is effective immediately.

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Reposted by Buffy Wicks

Ben Christopher @frombenc.bsky.social · Jul 1

A decade-spanning political battle between housing developers and defenders of CEQA, California’s preeminent environmental law, came to an end this afternoon with only a smattering of “no” votes.

The forces of housing won.

calmatters.org/housing/2025...

One of the biggest obstacles to building new housing in California has now vanished

After a decade of battling, lawmakers just exempted infill urban development from the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA.

calmatters.org

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Reposted by Buffy Wicks

Governor Gavin Newsom @governor.ca.gov · Jul 1

The days of affordable housing and infrastructure in California being blocked by endless delays are finally over.

I just signed a historic package of laws that simplifies building, cuts timelines, and will help make it more affordable to live in the greatest state in America.

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Reposted by Buffy Wicks

Armand Domalewski @armanddomalewski.bsky.social · Jun 25

On @volts.wtf podcast, Assemblymember @buffywicks.bsky.social says one clean energy transmission line in California took 12 years to approve, needed a 11,000 page environmental impact report, and required 70 permits from 28 agencies www.volts.wtf/p/the-fight-...

The fight to build faster in California

Buffy Wicks and Scott Wiener explain how they're reforming CEQA, the California law that lets anyone with a lawyer delay housing projects for years.

www.volts.wtf

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Reposted by Buffy Wicks

Chris Elmendorf @cselmendorf.bsky.social · Jun 25

What timing!
@volts.wtf interviews @scottwiener.bsky.social & @buffywicks.bsky.social on CEQA reform.

This is a must-listen for anyone who considers themselves an enviro or a progressive. Dave is as green & progressive as they come and he asks all the right questions.

(link in next post)

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Buffy Wicks @buffywicks.bsky.social · Jun 25

Hard to see me in this photo, but I’m proud to be part of it — standing with @seiuca.bsky.social after presenting AB 1340, legislation that would give hundreds of thousands of rideshare drivers in California the right to unionize. Passed Senate Labor this morning 4-1!

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Buffy Wicks @buffywicks.bsky.social · Jun 14

From Wilma Chan Park and the streets of Oakland to peaceful protests nationwide, our message is clear: power belongs to the people. We reject authoritarianism — because in this country, there are no kings.

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Buffy Wicks @buffywicks.bsky.social · Jun 14

My heart is with their families, their colleagues, and everyone reeling from this unthinkable loss. May their memories be a call to protect one another — and the democracy they served. (3/3)

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Buffy Wicks @buffywicks.bsky.social · Jun 14

It’s a heartbreaking, terrifying moment for all who believe in democracy. This kind of violence must be condemned — clearly, forcefully, and unequivocally — by leaders on both sides of the aisle. (2/3)

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Buffy Wicks @buffywicks.bsky.social · Jun 14

I’m horrified by the targeted killing of Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband — and heartbroken for Sen. Hoffman and his wife, who are still fighting for their lives. Public service should never come with the risk of being targeted for doing your job. (1/3)

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Buffy Wicks @buffywicks.bsky.social · Jun 12

My statement on the outrageous action taken against @padilla.senate.gov 👇

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