Google founder’s wife, Jane Fonda oppose Prop 45

By the Editorial Team · Wednesday, August 5, 2026

Wendy Schmidt, wife of Google co-founder Eric Schmidt, has partnered with Jane Fonda to lead opposition against California’s Proposition 45, which aims to limit environmental reviews to speed up housing and infrastructure projects. The vote on Prop 45 represents a critical clash between environmental safeguards and efforts to address the state’s housing crisis, with major financial backing on both sides ahead of the election.

The wife of Google co-founder Eric Schmidt is joining forces with actress and activist Jane Fonda to oppose California’s Proposition 45, a ballot measure aimed at modifying the state’s environmental review process to expedite housing and infrastructure development. The “No on 45” campaign was formally launched in Sacramento on Wednesday by Clean and Healthy California, an environmental political action committee (PAC) financially supported by Schmidt.

Proposition 45 seeks to impose limits on the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), a law enacted in the 1970s to safeguard the state’s environment by requiring thorough environmental reviews of major projects. While CEQA was initially intended to protect natural resources, critics argue that it has become a tool for opponents to delay or block housing developments and other infrastructure through lengthy legal challenges, thereby exacerbating California’s housing affordability crisis.

Polls suggest strong bipartisan backing for the measure, with the Public Policy Institute of California reporting 73% voter support, including 80% of Democrats and 61% of Republicans. Supporters contend that Prop 45 would reduce red tape and accelerate critical construction projects related to housing, transit, water, healthcare, and clean energy.

Backing the proposition are organizations such as the California Chamber of Commerce and Building a Better California, a political committee funded in part by Google co-founder Sergey Brin, which has contributed $10 million to the campaign. Proponents emphasize the excessive delays mandated by CEQA, citing cases like a solar company’s 12-year process to complete a single environmental review and secure permits for a transmission line.

Opponents include Clean and Healthy California, which has raised more than $7 million since June to campaign against Prop 45, and the Building and Construction Trades Council, which has contributed over $2 million. Wendy Schmidt, Eric Schmidt’s wife and co-leader of the opposition effort, resides in a Holmby Hills estate purchased in 2025 valued at over $100 million. Jane Fonda, known both for her Hollywood career and environmental activism, criticized the measure in a June statement, warning that it would undermine protections for air, water, and community health and accused supporters of advancing interests aligned with polluters.

The debate over Prop 45 encapsulates broader tensions in California regarding balancing environmental protections with the urgent need for expanded housing and infrastructure. As the campaign intensifies, both sides are marshaling significant financial resources and public endorsements to influence voter decisions ahead of the upcoming election.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.