June 22nd, 2026
The Honorable Gavin Newsom
Governor, State of California
1021 O Street, Suite 9000
Sacramento, CA 95814
The Honorable Monique Limón
Senate President Pro Tempore
1021 O Street, Suite 8518
Sacramento, CA 95814
The Honorable Robert Rivas
Speaker of the Assembly
1021 O Street, Suite 8330
Sacramento, CA 95814
Re: Urgent Call to Pass Legislation to Build California’s Next Generation of Jobs, Manufacturing, Shipbuilding, and Homes
Dear Governor Newsom, President Pro Tempore Limón, and Speaker Rivas,
We write on behalf of the State Building & Construction Trades Council of California, the California Conference of Carpenters, the California Alliance for Jobs, California State Council of Laborers (LiUNA), International Union of Operating Engineers, United Contractors, Associated General Contractors of California, the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA), the Peace Officers Research Association of California, the California Association of REALTORS, California YIMBY, the Abundance Network (AN), and Solano Forward to respectfully ask you to introduce and pass legislation this legislative session to support the Suisun Expansion Plan and Solano Shipyard to bring home construction, shipbuilding, and manufacturing jobs to Solano County.These critical projects will unlock substantial private investment and good-paying local jobs in Solano County, generating $215 billion in construction investment, over 530,000 jobs, and more than $16.2 billion annually in combined state, local, and federal tax revenue.
We seek legislation to build on California’s long-established framework of streamlining legislation that enables major projects of statewide significance to move quickly while preserving local control and environmental safeguards. In addition, this legislation can align with the historic 40-year construction labor agreement signed by the Napa-Solano Building & Construction Trades Council and North Coast States Carpenters Union, including members of our coalition.
Time is critical—without legislative action before the close of this legislative session, California will lose significant private commitments contingent on clear, predictable permitting and infrastructure pathways.
In short, if legislation is not approved, California will lose billions of dollars in investments and tens of thousands of jobs this summer to Texas and other states.
Just this week, Texas leaders offered Austin-based shipbuilder Saronic hundreds of millions in tax incentives to build their $3.2 billion modern shipyard in Brownsville, Texas. However, they have shown great interest in Solano County. We believe with the proper counter that they will choose to bring 20,000 construction and permanent jobs with an average wage of $100,000 to this great State.
We ask you to introduce and pass legislation that:
1. Allows streamlining only if a major shipbuilder and/or manufacturer signs a binding lease with a large minimum investment and high-wage job guarantees. No relief unless the investment and jobs are guaranteed.
2. Adopts the state’s long-established framework of streamlining legislation to support and expedite important projects of statewide significance.
3. Aligns with the 40-year construction labor agreement signed by the Napa-Solano Building and Construction Trades Council and the North Coast States Carpenters Union.
4. Requires approval of the residential components of the project alongside manufacturing and shipbuilding components to guarantee long-term housing supply and enable necessary infrastructure financing.
5. Maintains final decision-making authority for Suisun City and Solano County, as applicable, to approve or reject projects, preserving local control.
We stand ready to engage immediately—bringing coalition leadership and membership participation to the table. The organizations we represent are prepared to call and meet with legislators and staff in the coming days to ensure timely action.As this legislative session comes to a close, we urge you to support policies that strengthen our communities and address the challenges facing those we serve. Your leadership and commitment to thoughtful, effective solutions can make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless residents.
Thank you for your consideration and for your continued service to our state. We look forward to working with you to advance these important priorities.
Signed by,
Chris Hannan Jay Bradshaw
President, State Building & Construction Executive Secretary-Treasurer
Trades Council of California California Conference of Carpenters
Joshua Arce
Executive Director, California Alliance for Jobs
Joseph Cruz
Executive Director, California State Council of Laborers
Matt Cremins
Western Region Political Director, International Union of Operating Engineers
Gus Flores
Director of Government Relations, United ContractorsPeter Tateishi
CEO, Associated General Contractors of California
Lance Hastings
President & CEO, California Manufacturers & Technology Association
Brian R. Marvel
President, Peace Officers Research Association of California
Phil Hawkins
Chief Executive Officer, California Association of REALTORS
Brian Hanlon
Founder & CEO of California YIMBY
Zack Rosen
Founder & CEO of the Abundance Network
Steve McCall
Advisory Board Member, Solano Forward