9-13-25

Write to Governor Newsom:

THREE DIFFERENT SAMPLE LETTERS TO SEND TO GOV.  NEWSOM

Click here:https://www.gov.ca.gov/contact/
Here is what you do:

1. Scroll down to TOPIC and select “An Active Bill” from the drop down.
2. Select SB 79. 
3. Select Leave a Comment, then click next
4. Select CON
5. Change MESSAGE SUBJECT to: “Veto SB 79″
6. Then either write your own message, or copy and paste any of the attached options.
7. Enter your info on the next page and then click SUBMIT

Dear Governor Newsom,

This letter addresses SB 79, Senator Wiener’s purported emergency housing bill. While framed as a critical response to California’s housing shortage, the bill’s scope and passage raise serious concerns regarding its constitutionality and equitable application across the state.

The repeated characterization of every housing bill introduced by Senator Wiener as an “emergency” warrants scrutiny. This designation allows the state to preempt local control, specifically undermining the rights of charter cities under the California Constitution. These cities, by virtue of their charters, possess a degree of autonomy in enacting local land-use regulations. SB 79, however, appears to target specific areas, notably within Los Angeles County, rather than addressing the statewide housing crisis comprehensively. The bill’s limited geographical focus contradicts the claim of a statewide emergency.

Furthermore, the significant amendments introduced during the bill’s passage through the Assembly raise questions about its actual purpose. The final version seems less focused on equitable distribution of housing resources and more geared towards achieving a specific policy agenda: the elimination of single-family zoning in large cities, predominantly in Southern California. This targeted approach suggests a departure from the stated emergency rationale.

The process of amending SB 79 has effectively circumvented the intended purpose of addressing a statewide housing crisis. Instead, it appears to leverage the urgency of the housing shortage to enact a policy that disproportionately impacts certain municipalities, potentially violating the constitutional rights of charter cities to local control.

We urge you to carefully review SB 79, considering the potential for unconstitutional overreach. We believe a veto, or at the very least, a line-item veto to remove the provisions unrelated to a statewide housing solution, is warranted. Such action would ensure that California’s housing crisis is addressed equitably and in a manner consistent with the constitutional rights of all its cities.

Finally, you are asking many of us to support your current bid to redistrict the state. You are stating the reason for this is to restore democracy and democratic values. All we were asking in your review of SB 79 when it comes before you is the same consideration in restoring democracy and allowing Charter Cities their constitutional right to local control in land use and zoning.

Sincerely,

——————————————————————————————————————————–

Governor Newsom,

We are writing to you regarding SB 79—a bill that barely cleared policy committees and passed the Senate floor by just one vote. This is not a mandate from the Legislature, and it should not be treated as one.

Cities across California have spent millions of taxpayer dollars complying with the state’s RHNA requirements, identifying zoning capacity at all levels of affordability while affirmatively furthering fair housing. Local jurisdictions met this challenge by planning new housing near transit and underutilized commercial corridors. 

Most Housing Elements have only just been certified, and their results have yet to be implemented. SB 79 undermines this work by demanding additional density—far beyond state mandates—and by targeting single-family neighborhoods.

The neighborhoods most impacted by SB 79 are modest, working-class communities, high fire zones, historic districts, or simply stable residential areas where families have invested in their futures. SB 79 dismisses the value of homeownership.

Governor, you seek higher office. Can you honestly say that the rights of individual homeowners are unimportant, and that they do not deserve full transparency before their neighborhoods are rezoned?

We ask you to veto this bill—or at the very least, the provisions that strip protections from single-family homes. 

SB 79 passed not on merit, but through carve-outs and exemptions designed to secure votes. 

If the housing crisis is truly a statewide concern, why does this bill exempt most jurisdictions, leaving only a handful to bear the burden while losing their Charter City land-use rights?

We urge you to stand for more housing, but also for transparency, smart planning, and the rights of all Californians. SB 79 tramples these principles in favor of special interests. 

Not every housing bill is a good bill—and this one deserves your veto.

Respectfully,

——————————————————————————————————————————–

Dear Governor Newsom,

SB 79 carves out over 80% of the state simply to secure votes. This is not a true statewide concern, but rather Senator Wiener’s effort to force apartments into single-family neighborhoods.

Is that your goal as well?

It is not fair or democratic to strip people of their greatest investment (single-family homes) without an open and robust public discussion.

Now is the time to stand up for your constituents and veto this harmful bill. 

Respectfully,

9-12-25

SB 79 passed the Senate vote today. It now goes to Governor Newsom.

9-11-25

SB 79 is a housing/land use bill that aims to change local planning rules by upzoning areas near transit stops, allowing for denser multi-family housing in those zones.

On 9-11-25, SB 79 passed in the Assembly with the minimum 41 votes required. Some members of the Los Angeles delegation did not support the bill, either voting “no” or recording “no vote.” We thank those who took this stand. Assemblymember Rick Zbur spoke against the bill, raising important concerns, while others in the delegation did not participate in the floor debate.

Throughout the legislative process, amendments were made to exempt certain districts, which ultimately secured enough support for passage. The bill now returns to the Senate for a concurrence vote, which may occur as soon as tomorrow.

If you’d like to read more, here are useful links:

SB 79 Full Bill Text (Legiscan)