Enough partisan zealotry from the California Coastal Commission
The California Coastal Commission acknowledged and apologized for political bias in a 2024 lawsuit settlement with SpaceX, which alleged members made improper remarks about Elon Musk's political views. The commission recently denied SpaceX's request to increase Falcon 9 launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base despite the settlement. Meanwhile, Rep. Ken Calvert introduced the Fireworks for Freedom Act to limit the commission's ability to block Independence Day fireworks over environmental concerns.
- ▪The California Coastal Commission settled a 2024 lawsuit with SpaceX over members' political comments about Elon Musk and his affiliations.
- ▪As part of the settlement, the commission apologized for 'improper' remarks made during a hearing on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch program.
- ▪The commission denied SpaceX’s petition to increase Falcon 9 launches from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County.
- ▪Rep. Ken Calvert introduced the Fireworks for Freedom Act to prevent the commission from blocking July 4 fireworks displays based on environmental regulations.
- ▪The editorial argues the commission has strayed from its original mission of ensuring public beach access and accuses it of ideological overreach.
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Opinion Enough partisan zealotry from the California Coastal Commission By CA Post Editorial Board Published April 30, 2026, 10:29 p.m. ET In a not-so-stunning admission this week, the California Coastal Commission conceded political bias — and apologized. That’s a start. From here, the commission needs to end its ideological crusades and refocus on its core mission: protecting public access to the state’s beaches. The 12-member commission — packed with the appointees of the governor and left-wing legislators — settled a 2024 lawsuit from SpaceX over political comments its members made about that company’s owner, Elon Musk. 3 In a not-so-stunning admission this week, the California Coastal Commission conceded political bias — and apologized.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at California Post.
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