“Lucas Public Affairs has an unmatched ability to distill complex policy issues into compelling, actionable narratives that drive impact. The LPA team quickly identified the critical arguments for permitting reform and ensured those points reached both key stakeholders and policymakers who could make change happen. Their collaborative approach and strategic communications helped elevate a technical policy challenge into a statewide priority.”

– Jeff Bellisario, Executive Director, Bay Area Council Economic Institute

Overview

Lucas Public Affairs (LPA) partnered with the Bay Area Council Economic Institute to elevate its work with Assemblymember Buffy Wicks and the Assembly Select Committee on Permitting Reform. Through strategic planning, media outreach and on-the-ground event execution, LPA helped spotlight the urgent need to modernize California’s outdated permitting systems and unlock faster, more efficient infrastructure and housing development across the state.

Strategic Approach

Working closely with the Economic Institute and Assemblymember Wicks’ office, LPA led a targeted communications and stakeholder engagement campaign to amplify the Select Committee’s work and position permitting reform as a policy priority for the state.

LPA developed and distributed official media advisories and press releases tied to key milestones in the Select Committee’s process. Simultaneously, LPA executed an earned media strategy that secured high-impact coverage in CalMatters, Sacramento Bee, San Francisco Chronicle, Capitol Weekly, Politico, KQED and more.

LPA also managed logistics and stakeholder coordination for the Select Committee’s Palm Desert site visit and hearing, which brought together legislators, clean energy experts, environmental advocates and industry leaders to illustrate real-world permitting challenges and opportunities. LPA provided on-site support and media coordination to ensure consistent messaging and maximize visibility.

Throughout the campaign, LPA worked with partners to ensure the Economic Institute’s work could be elevated in a nonpartisan, solutions-focused way, helping build broad, cross-sector support without politicizing the message.

Results

LPA’s strategic campaign played a foundational role in elevating permitting reform from a policy discussion to a legislative priority, building momentum, shaping public perception, and aligning key voices across government, industry and advocacy.

This work culminated in the public release of the Select Committee’s final report, developed by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute. The white paper offered a clear roadmap for reform and highlighted the urgent need to modernize California’s permitting systems across industry. The historic permitting reform bill, AB 609, introduced by Assemblymember Wicks, passed and was signed into law, streamlining permitting for infill housing.

Together, these outcomes demonstrate how thoughtful communications and strategic collaboration can drive lasting policy change and turn complex challenges into real solutions.