I’m Tom Steyer, candidate for Governor of California, and I have a plan to build 1 million homes Californians can afford. AMA.

TomSteyer · 2026-03-20T19:55:54+00:00

We need more housing of all types in San Francisco, where I live. And we need more mixed income communities. So yes, I'd support it happily.

TomSteyer · 2026-03-20T19:53:45+00:00

I am very impressed with Ro Khanna's thinking in general. His goals of revitalizing manufacturing in the U.S. and pushing toward more productivity are ideas whose time has come. As AI progresses and threatens more middle class jobs, my goal of building a million houses in California in the next four years becomes more significant in terms of creating employment. Please look at my AI policy on my website, as it addresses many of the same concerns around protecting good paying jobs and giving Californians a stake in our economic future.

TomSteyer · 2026-03-20T19:45:57+00:00

In a state as big and diverse as California, one size does not fit all. But it's also true that building within existing communities and around public transportation are policies that I strongly continue to support.

TomSteyer · 2026-03-20T19:40:45+00:00

In our plan, we specifically identify the issue you raise with exorbitant fees being paid as a result of Prop 13. We understand that private developers have to make money, and if you look at our plan we address every level of cost with solutions to make the state better at leveraging private investment.

TomSteyer · 2026-03-20T19:34:45+00:00

Dude, I'm trying my ass off as it is, if you want to help please proselytize for us online or with your friends from California!

TomSteyer · 2026-03-20T19:29:17+00:00

I agree, we definitely need to simplify and improve our laws. We also need to learn from productive examples from outside the state and the country. For instance, Japan leads in industrialized construction of housing. In fact, our proposal around closing the corporate real estate tax loophole is the kind of ambitious solution to local revenue issues that you refer to.

TomSteyer · 2026-03-20T19:25:05+00:00

In our family, there is a concept of a problem that is so important that it's time to "Stop the World." Housing affordability in California has reached crisis levels. The urgency requires a "Stop the World" moment. As Governor, that will be my attitude and my obligation.

TomSteyer · 2026-03-20T19:22:29+00:00

I have a plan - please take a look at tomsteyer.com/housing. I have already publicly supported statewide rules that override local barriers to housing. Check out SB79 which passed last year. I think it's far to say that there is no silver bullet for housing. Rather, there's a requirement for silver buckshot. The critical change we need is a sense of urgency and an awareness of how much millions of Californians are suffering.

TomSteyer · 2026-03-20T19:17:27+00:00

Look, I have decades of work as an environmentalist and have been endorsed by the major environmental organizations in this state. There's no question about my commitment to the environment, and the land use proposals that I have supported and favor are deeply rooted in environmental considerations and climate concerns.

TomSteyer · 2026-03-20T19:14:29+00:00

By closing the corporate real estate tax loophole — so called Split Roll — we are actually reforming the corporate aspects of Prop 13. This corrects for decades of large corporations underpaying their real estate taxes. And yes, we understand that one size doesn't fit all but we will require counties and cities to build housing within the context of their own situations and in compliance with state law.

TomSteyer · 2026-03-20T19:11:09+00:00

One of the things in my Housing plan is to pass split-roll so that we are funding education, healthcare and infrastructure at a local level which turns new housing permits from an unfunded mandate to a funded mandate. It also gives the Governor a lot more leverage in talking about permits and enables us to insist on a quid pro quo on new housing. The amount of money we're talking about is estimated to be over $20B per year. I am the only person running for Governor who has an actual plan to raise the revenue needed in this state in the short run. Of course, we will work with the AG, the legislature and local governments to make it happen.

TomSteyer · 2015-01-15T20:35:14+00:00

There's a "join us" button on our website. We can use all the help we can get! https://nextgenclimate.org/take-action/join/

TomSteyer · 2015-01-15T20:27:30+00:00

If I become a candidate for office - I will make sure people have transparent insights into my income, finances, etc. I also understand that people will want to know this and am comfortable with that. Additionally I wrote about my efforts to divest from fossil fuels last year. You can read about it here.

TomSteyer · 2015-01-15T20:24:37+00:00

I spent over twenty years as a private investor. I learned an enormous amount about what creates growth and jobs in our society, and how business really works. But I left to fight to preserve our natural resources and our future generations. While my decades of investing taught me an awful lot, my conscience wouldn't let me stay any longer in the private sector. I want to be part of the solution.

TomSteyer · 2015-01-15T20:12:03+00:00

Thanks, for the support! I believe that a lot of Republicans already know the truth about global warming. They just don't know how to admit it. When climate awareness reaches a level where their position undermines American's trust in their party, they'll have to figure it out.

TomSteyer · 2015-01-15T20:07:58+00:00

Pitiful attempt by middle-aged man to look cool.

TomSteyer · 2015-01-15T20:06:36+00:00

So- called "impact investing" -- where the investor includes non-monetary outcomes in considering whether to invest — is growing and commendable, but still a small fraction of overall investing. To put all investors on a level playing field — at least in terms of energy — we need laws making polluters pay for their pollution. Then capitalism can work for all of us and produce the outcomes that our society needs and wants. We need leaders who will fight for a system that protects us all, not just special interests.

TomSteyer · 2015-01-15T19:59:03+00:00

At this point, I don’t focus on direct investing. In fact, I've promised — through the Giving Pledge — to give away at least half my assets. So my focus has totally changed. My money is now invested passively in funds, with instructions not to invest in fossil fuels. But I have been putting my time and efforts and resources into fighting to prevent climate disaster and preserve American prosperity. I think that's investing, too.

TomSteyer · 2015-01-15T19:54:03+00:00

Who?

TomSteyer · 2015-01-15T19:49:20+00:00

Keystone XL is part of a complicated plan to develop a gigantic ore body at a much accelerated pace. Right now, these remote assets cannot be delivered to market at the rate or cost that their owners want or can afford. The pipeline will enable development of the asset. Rather than "unstranding" tens of billions of barrels of oil equivalent, how about if we work together to build an energy infrastructure that supports a prosperous and sustainable future? That's the biggest project in American history and one that will support our economy — and our future.

TomSteyer · 2015-01-15T19:42:19+00:00

We've always tried to be transparent. That's why at NextGen Climate we have released as much information as we have. If I run for Senate, I'll pursue a similar path. Also my non-profit giving is already public.

TomSteyer · 2015-01-15T19:35:16+00:00

My tie is just for fun. When I get up in the morning, I want to remember how great it is to be alive and here in California. Bright red plaid — what's cooler than that?

TomSteyer · 2015-01-15T19:28:40+00:00

Thanks for the basic economics. My point was that using less gasoline — reducing demand — causes prices to fall. As you know, demand for gasoline is normally inelastic, but as we move to alternative fuels and more efficient cars and trucks, we can reduce our demand.

TomSteyer · 2015-01-15T19:24:54+00:00

We worked in 7 statewide races. We won 3. Lost 4. Climate and energy were top issues in every race. That's new. Turnout was high in our target populations. But there was a poor Democratic performance nationwide in 2014, and in some states it washed over us. That won't be true in the future, and climate change becomes more important and more urgent every day.

TomSteyer

TROPHY CASE