1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I support Governor Newsom's decision to warn 15 cities and counties that they have 30 days to comply with SB 79 or face legal action. California needs housing, and cities that refuse to follow state law should face consequences. Los Angeles just voted to cap buildings at 4 stories when SB 79 allows 6 to 9 stories near major transit stops. This kind of defiance is exactly why we're in a housing crisis. The city blocked a 350-unit affordable housing project while people sleep on the streets. YIMBY Law has won all four of its completed lawsuits against LA because the City Council won't even follow its own land-use laws. Taxpayers have paid out $500,000 in legal fees to the group alone. Newsom's "you don't build, we are not going to fund" approach is the right one. Cities that drag their feet on housing should lose state grants and funding. SB 79 includes affordability requirements and protections against demolishing occupied homes, so there's no excuse for noncompliance. The law takes effect July 1, 2025. Hold the line and make sure every jurisdiction follows through.