Newsom’s Coastal Development Gambit | Fresno News

Governor Newsom is quietly pushing a controversial last-minute proposal that could exempt a major oceanfront development in Santa Monica—designed by Frank Gehry and led by developer Jeff Worthe—from strict environmental laws, unless the city drafts its own land use plan by January 2028. Worthe, a generous donor to Newsom’s campaigns and appointee to key state boards, stands to benefit from a $350 million project. Environmental advocates are furious, calling it a dangerous precedent that rewards money and influence over coastal protections—a fifty-year-old law they’ve fought to uphold. Local lawmakers also oppose it, fearing it undermines their efforts. Meanwhile, Worthe’s company spent $270K lobbying earlier this year, raising alarms about who really holds the power. While Newsom claims he’s still negotiating, critics see a troubling pattern: while condemning federal rollbacks of environmental rules, he may be doing something similar at the state level. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/51d8dee60c438746