Asm Grayson Reacts to State Supreme Court Ruling

(SACRAMENTO, CA) - Today, on a 4-2 vote, the California Supreme Court refused to life the University of California, Berkeley enrollment freeze ordered by an Alameda County judge and denied review of an appellate ruling requiring the university to conduct further environmental review of an off-campus construction project while it limits incoming enrollment (via San Francisco Chronicle). 

Assemblymember Timothy Grayson (D-Concord) made the following statement in response:

"The disappointing decision to side with million-dollar homeowners over students is morally repugnant. It is long past time that we reform our environmental laws to prevent a privileged few from hoarding opportunities that are meant for all Californians.

This problem is larger than just this one decision, and we need to not only change our laws to help build more housing, but also to create more opportunities for students.

Over a decade ago, the City of Concord designated acreage of land on the Concord Naval Weapons Station to home a future four-year university. This acreage includes land available for sorely needed affordable housing for students. And I have been fighting for a decade for CSU or UC to take advantage of this clear opportunity in front of them.

Unless we take bold action, California will continue to deny students of a world-class education in our state—both because we do not have enough space in our existing universities and because students will not be able to afford housing.

We know right now there are California students who are living in their cars because they can’t afford housing near campus. Enough is enough. Let’s build more housing and build more educational opportunities."

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