Yesterday we won, tomorrow we fight

[Leora at YIMBY Action]

A moment of magic in the halls of the State Capitol

YIMBYs showed up in force in Sacramento yesterday, and WE MADE IT HAPPEN! Our top bill in California, SB 79, which makes it easier to build housing near transit stations, faced a tough challenge yesterday in the Senate Housing Committee. At 5:35 pm, after seven hours of discussion, SB 79 passed 6-2, without a vote to spare. We made it through the first hurdle, all because YIMBYs like you showed up. Want to make sure SB 79 passes its next hurdle in the Senate? Take two minutes to call your Senator and urge them to support this crucial bill! CALL YOUR SENATOR It was a long, rewarding day Allow me to paint a picture: The halls of the Capitol were packed with advocates, security was tight, the meeting room was at capacity, so several of us were in the hall. There was a well-dressed group of people sitting on the stairs, pounding away at laptops. I asked someone, “Who are those people?” “Reporters,” he whispered back.  At first, there were only a few of us, but as we arrived from all over the state, we grew.  Then, after 2 hours of waiting, SB 79 was up! We ate popcorn as we listened to the testimony. We were riveted as Senator Wiener said, “Texas & Florida are eating our lunch,” in reference to Californians leaving our state because of high housing costs. We listened as other Senators defended the right to free, unlimited parking and front yard lawns. And Senator Wiener patiently, calmly, reminded everyone that we have overwhelming evidence that new market-rate construction lowers rents. We listened as other Senators defended the right to free, unlimited parking and front yard lawns. The conversation continued for hours, and after Senator Wiener had addressed every counterpoint, he walked out into the hall. When he stepped into that crowded hallway, chock-full of YIMBYs at this point, we all started applauding and hooting. We knew we were supposed to be quiet, but we couldn’t help it. Someone whisper-shouted, “That’s my Senator!” It was the only appropriate way to express our appreciation. It was the only thing that felt right. Five hours later, SB 79 passed its first committee. It has a long way to go to become a law, but yesterday we won the battle. Efforts like this happen with our members across the country. The work continues, and it takes people like YOU to help make a difference in ending the housing crisis.  Want to make sure SB 79 gets through the Senate? Call your Senator now and let them know that this bill is important to you. Here’s a sample script: “Hi, my name is [NAME], and I live in Senator [NAME]’s district. I’m calling to express my strong support for Senator Scott Wiener’s SB 79. This bill will make our communities more climate-resilient and prevent displacement. Don’t force more Californians out of their hometowns. Please support SB 79. Thank you.” CALL YOUR SENATOR YOUR YIMBY ACTION MEMBERSHIP MEMBERSHIP STATUS None PHONE NUMBER +14154890197 Add/update mobile LOCATION San Francisco, CA 94107 Add/update location Join or Renew Keeping this information up to date powers our activism! Need help with your membership? Email membe...@yimbyaction.org. We are a chapter of YIMBY Action, a network of pro-housing activists fighting for more inclusive housing policies and a future of abundant housing.

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