In the News

“We can have all the electric vehicles and solar panels in the world, but we won’t meet our climate goals without making it easier for people to live near where they work, and live near transit and drive less,” Mr. Wiener said.

By Andrew Bowen 

As local governments in San Diego County work to encourage more housing production to alleviate the region's housing crisis, lawmakers in Sacramento are debating changes to a long untouchable facet of California law: local control over housing and land use.

The unfortunate answer is that too many California cities and counties impose zoning restrictions that make it practically impossible to build low-cost, walkable housing. For decades, state leaders have allowed these local zoning policies to proliferate, to the point that the state now faces a severe housing shortage.

In response, state Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, has introduced landmark legislation to encourage more housing near transit. Senate Bill 827 would increase allowable density, eliminate minimum parking requirements and modestly raise height limits, depending on the location.

San Francisco –  Today, Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco) released the following statement regarding reports that Federal immigration officials have raided 77 workplaces in Northern California, requiring employers to produce proof regarding their employees’ legal right to work.

“California law prohibits employers from cooperating with ICE to facilitate these despicable raids unless ICE has a judicial warrant. We will stand with our immigrant communities as this Administration continues to attack American values and tear apart families.”