This article analyzes why California's pro-housing zoning reform laws (S.B. 9 and A.B. 2011) have failed to produce expected housing units despite removing regulatory barriers, finding that well-intentioned add-ons like prevailing wage requirements and affordability mandates make projects economically unviable, a phenomenon termed 'everything-bagel liberalism.'
An EWG analysis of California Department of Pesticide Regulation data found that 37% of non-organic California produce samples contained PFAS pesticide residues, with 17 different PFAS compounds detected across 40 produce types—most heavily on stone fruits like peaches (>90% contamination) and strawberries (10 different PFAS compounds). California farmers apply approximately 2.5 million pounds of PFAS pesticides annually, raising concerns about soil and water contamination given the persistence and bioaccumulation potential of these 'forever chemicals.'