State Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco is using shameful tactics to pass ill-conceived housing legislation. His behavior tarnishes his reputation and worsens already low approval ratings of his colleagues.
In May, Wiener’s high-density housing bill (State Bill 50) was shelved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. This one-size-fits-all bill would take away elected city council’s authority for land use zoning and give it to developers. Legislators had the good sense to say, “No.”
Now Wiener strikes back. Last week, he gutted his State Board of Barbering and Cosmetology (SB 592) bill, renamed it “Housing and Accountability Act,” and replaced the contents.
This new legislation will bypass Wiener’s peers on the Senate Housing Committee. Cities, agencies and individuals won’t have adequate time to review. It will go straight to the Assembly Housing Committee on July 3.
The Public Policy Institute of California recently released at survey about Californians’ view of government. They asked, “Do you approve or disapprove of the way the California Legislature is handling its job?” According to the numbers, 44% disapproved, 39% approved, and 17% said they didn’t know. Now they know.
Wiener, influenced by monied, for-profit interests who aim to give the upper hand to developers and corporate financial interests, is stooping to a new low with his gut-and-replace tactic.
What can you do?
Call Marin Assemblyman Marc Levine at (916) 319-2010, Sen. Mike McGuire at (916) 651-4002, and Assembly Housing Committee Chair David Chiu at (916) 319-2017.
Urge them to oppose SB 592.
— Susan Kirsch, Mill Valley