It took Wiener three rounds of voting to get SB 79 passed in the Senate. It’s amended and scheduled for hearings in the Assembly Housing, Local Government, and Natural Resources committees.
The Housing Committee hearing is in the first week of July;
letters are due June 25th.
See contact info below. You may call or leave a message on the phone asking the Assembly members to vote NO on S B 79.
A spreadsheet of Assemblymembers with contact info
Assembly Members on the Committees
Text version of a sample letter and speaking points.
I strongly oppose SB 79 as an assault on local control that disregards state-certified housing elements. At first glance, the amendments made by Senator Wiener might appear reasonable, but actually offer nothing of substance.
• The new “affordability” component merely reflects incentives already available.
• The new option for localities to write alternative plans are of no benefit. By requiring that the same number of units and floor area ratio be maintained, this provision is a false alternative, as it merely creates a complex balancing act.
The thrust of SB 79 remains ministerially approved market-rate density without regard to local conditions. Our housing elements have already indicated which sites best serve our communities as infill.
SB 79 is deeply flawed in both concept and consequence. It would inflict disproportionate harm on the most affordable neighborhoods in our cities.
I OPPOSE SB 79 for these reasons:
- It undermines affordable housing goals
- 81% of all development under new laws is already market rate
- It encourages gentrification
- It undermines the housing element process
- It does not exempt fire hazard zones
- Affordable housing near transit is the avowed goal of state policy, but it is not the goal of this bill.
Sincerely,
Individuals: Your name and address
Organizations: Your name, title, and signature; add logo at top
If you want to learn how to post to the portal, go here: https://discoveryink.wordpress.com/ca-legislative-process/ca-bills/posting-letters