Dear Marin Post readers:
After controversy, SB-79 will come to a Senate Floor vote during the week of June 2-6.
ACT NOW!
Take 7 minutes to stop 7-story buildings from rising in your residential neighborhood!
- Call Senator McGuire (916) 651-4002
- Email the Catalysts letter below, personalizing for your style and point of view. Send to Senator.McGuire@senate.ca.gov. Send a cc to Senator.Wahab@senate.ca.gov, Senator.Seyarto@senate.ca.gov, Senator.Durazo@senate.ca.gov, Senator.Choi@senate.ca.gov, Senator.Wiener@senate.ca.gov
- Key reasons to oppose SB-79: Undermines affordable housing goals, makes the Housing Element irrelevant, eliminates public input and local control, alters the Surplus Lands Act and public process, and ignores safety and infrastructure concerns.
- For details, read Amy Kalish's article.
POB 1703, Mill Valley, CA 94942
CatalystsCA.org
May 30, 2025
To: Senator Mike McGuire, Senate Pro-Tem – Senator.McGuire@senate.ca.gov
Re: SB-79 (Wiener) Senate Floor Vote: Vote NO
Dear Senator McGuire:
Catalysts for Local Control urges you to vote NO on SB-79 when it comes before the Senate Floor during the week of June 2-6.
Senate Leadership NO Vote: As Senate Pro Tem, you made thoughtful leadership appointments to the Senate Housing Committee and the Senate Local Government Committee positions of chair and vice-chair. We are grateful for the diligence shown by Senators Wahab, Seyarto, Durazo, and Choi—all of whom voted “no” on SB-79, reflecting bipartisan concerns from communities across California.
Points of Opposition: SB-79 is a controversial housing bill. Sources identify five key reasons to oppose SB-79: Undermines affordable housing goals. (2) Makes the Housing Element Process a terrible waste of time and money in the past, and irrelevant in the future. (3) Eliminates public comment and local control. (4) Alters the Surplus Lands Act and Public Process. (5) Ignores safety and infrastructure concerns.
Community Priorities: The bipartisan “no” votes from committee chairs and vice-chairs demonstrate that opposition to SB-79 transcends party lines and reflects the will of voters across California. Neighborhood associations, city governments, and affordable housing advocates all oppose this bill because it prioritizes developer interests over community needs, affordable housing, and democracy.
Conclusion: SB 79 is not simply a streamlining measure; it is a sweeping preemption of local planning that undermines affordable housing, disregards public process, and threatens the integrity of California’s neighborhoods. We urge you to stand with your appointed leadership and the communities you represent. Vote NO on SB 79.
Best wishes,
Susan Kirsch, Director, Catalysts for Local Control
Cc:Senator.Wahab@senate.ca.gov, Senator.Seyarto@senate.ca.gov, Senator.Durazo@senate.ca.gov, Senator.Choi@senate.ca.gov, Senator.Wiener@senate.ca.gov