---

 [ STATE WATCH ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=385)

#  Gov. Newsom; SB79 Hero or Villain???

Written by Ken Ross.

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Sept-2025/075f.jpg)

September 18 2025

<a class="a2a_button_facebook"></a><a class="a2a_button_twitter"></a><a class="a2a_button_email"></a><a class="a2a_button_print"></a>[](https://www.addtoany.com/share)

 [Comments](#disqus_thread)

An Open Love Letter (or maybe not exactly) to Governor Gavin Newsom;

With Senate Bill 79 now upon your desk, you alone get to decide the future of homeowners all over California. After the State Assembly and Senate let them down, you alone get to choose if the American Dream (of owning a single-family home) takes a horrific hit. True, even if someone builds a 7 to 9 story monstrosity next door, you still own your home. Unfortunately, It may then be worth only a fraction of what it was worth prior to the multistory construction. So much for a lifetime of hard work so your heirs get a dream house. And unfortunately, the whole neighborhood suffers from the parking catastrophe and the traffic congestion that is guaranteed. But that really isn't your problem, Governor....or is it?

Pretty certain that you wouldn't be happy if a 7 to 9 story apartment building sprouted up in your affluent neighborhood.

And what if one of your relatives or close friends have to suffer this disastrous situation? Even the Bible suggests a course of action for you. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you". Would you please, pretty please look at it from that perspective?

OK, so if that doesn't strike a chord, what about this thought? How is your 2028 Democratic Primary Campaign going to look on TV with hundreds (or thousands?) of angry California homeowners protesting? Will you probably get that nomination regardless of non-stop "9-Story Newsom" chanting? And those people were your former huge supporters and donors before you foolishly passed SB 79. Then again, maybe after all that a Presidential Convention won't seem so attractive. You may just want to go back to the good old days when Democrats loved you.

However, it doesn't have to end that way. You can turn it all around and give your political career a huge boost by vetoing SB 79. Sure, you may lose several huge donations from the money hungry contractor's lobby. And the minority of voters, who call themselves YIMBYs (i.e. Yes In My Backyard), won't support you. Note: a YIMBY should more appropriately be labelled a "yiYby" (i.e. "yes, in YOUR backyard). Senator Wiener and his bunch will make good and sure they don't have to personally deal with these construction nightmares. Oh, and don't be fooled by the phony-baloney argument that SB 79 will help eliminate homelessness. Few, if any homeless folk, will actually benefit from these monstrous multi-stories. Relatively few people will get housing compared to entire neighborhoods that will wish they could afford to move out. All surrounding neighborhoods will suffer from parking insufficiencies, increased traffic congestion and diminishing home values. So, if you remove the threat of devastation to single family homeowners, they should consider you a hero.

Democratic homeowners will want to reward you for protecting them from this potential nightmare. Actually, this could turn out to be a huge windfall to your future anticipated Presidental campaign. All you have to do is veto this ill-conceived legislation. Then, you will probably receive a substantial rise in the polls. You will remain the stately leader who promotes (small "d") democracy, wants to uphold the Constitution and fights Texas gerrymandering by spearheading Proposition 50.

Sincerely,

Ken Ross on behalf of California homeowners (with fingers crossed)

*(Ken Ross is a retired dentist, former Associate Professor at UCLA Dental School, and a longtime animal advocate. He serves as NENC First Vice President, is a staff writer for Valley News Group, and a regular contributor to CityWatchLA.com.)*

[![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/ME%20DENTAL%20SPA/me%20dental%202026%20final.jpg)](http://medentalspa.com/)

 ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/banners/signup-for-cw.png)

## Get The News In Your Email Inbox Mondays &amp; Thursdays

 Message

 [ ![LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/LADWP/dwp%20level%20pay%205-7-25.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/82 "LA DWP #2 (Pay Your Bill Help)")

 [ ![Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/HHR/AHF-rent-too-high.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/component/banners/click/104 "Home - HHR Rent is too High - SB-2")

 ---

##  Featured CityWatch Stories

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/34/065h-34e1b43b.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33212:reminder-to-the-red-states-turnabout-is-fair-play&catid=395)

### [Reminder to the Red States, Turnabout is Fair Play](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33212:reminder-to-the-red-states-turnabout-is-fair-play&catid=395)

GELFAND’S WORLD - Indiana has been pounded by rains that resulted in widespread flooding. While the rain was still comi…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/0f/061a-0f1ada2f.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398)

### [Brace Yourself For A Worse Housing Crisis](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33148:brace-yourself-for-a-worse-housing-crisis&catid=398)

PLANNING WATCH - The California State Legislature will soon vote on the following draft legislation. Please carefully…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/d0/065o-d02f23ac.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33213:californias-empty-classrooms-are-a-warning-sacramento-cant-ignore&catid=378)

### [California’s Empty Classrooms Are a Warning Sacramento Can’t Ignore](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33213:californias-empty-classrooms-are-a-warning-sacramento-cant-ignore&catid=378)

A STUDENT'S VIEW - California is spending more on public education, yet classrooms are emptying, campuses are closing…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/75/064a-75d5dbb3.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33199:your-boss-owns-your-workday-not-your-brain&catid=425)

### [Your Boss Owns Your Workday—Not Your Brain](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33199:your-boss-owns-your-workday-not-your-brain&catid=425)

THE NEURAL WORKPLACE - California must protect workers before workplace surveillance crosses the final frontier: the hu…

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/media/yootheme/cache/fe/064i-febc3c1a.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33203:all-talk-no-action-nithya-ramans-reckoning&catid=401)

### [All Talk, No Action: Nithya Raman’s Reckoning](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33203:all-talk-no-action-nithya-ramans-reckoning&catid=401)

THE BOTTOM LINE - Nithya Raman lost the homelessness gavel, and the most damaging verdict didn’t come from Republicans…

---

##  [ STATE WATCH ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=385)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/Aug-2026/061d.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33145:facts-are-stubborn-things-ab-130-streamlining-while-infrastructure-is-crumbling&catid=385)### [Facts Are Stubborn Things. AB 130: Streamlining While Infrastructure Is Crumbling](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33145:facts-are-stubborn-things-ab-130-streamlining-while-infrastructure-is-crumbling&catid=385)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/060d.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33134:they-once-taught-about-a-hero-now-faculty-rethink-cesar-chavez-lessons-after-allegations&catid=385)### [They Once Taught About A Hero. Now Faculty Rethink César Chávez Lessons After Allegations](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33134:they-once-taught-about-a-hero-now-faculty-rethink-cesar-chavez-lessons-after-allegations&catid=385)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/060b.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33136:affordable-housing-wheres-sacramentos-accountability&catid=385)### [Affordable Housing: Where's Sacramento's Accountability?](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33136:affordable-housing-wheres-sacramentos-accountability&catid=385)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/059u.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33125:in-california-880-pedestrians-a-year-are-killed-walking-after-dark-making-it-the-seventh-deadliest-state-in-america-for-nighttime-pedestrian-fatalities&catid=385)### [In California, 880 Pedestrians a Year Are Killed Walking After Dark, Making It the Seventh Deadliest State in America for Nighttime Pedestrian Fatalities](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33125:in-california-880-pedestrians-a-year-are-killed-walking-after-dark-making-it-the-seventh-deadliest-state-in-america-for-nighttime-pedestrian-fatalities&catid=385)

 [ ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2026/056r4.jpg) ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33061:why-an-elder-abuse-law-firm-is-vital-for-protecting-seniors&catid=385)### [Why an Elder Abuse Law Firm Is Vital for Protecting Seniors](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=33061:why-an-elder-abuse-law-firm-is-vital-for-protecting-seniors&catid=385)
<div data-id="1" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-emailform eb-1 eboxContentLocker"
	data-options='{"trigger":"onPageLoad","trigger_selector":"","delay":3000,"early_trigger":true,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":1,"reverse_scroll_close":true,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":10000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"slideInDown","animation_close":"fadeOutDown","animation_duration":400,"disable_page_scroll":true,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #1 - Global Email Signup Form","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog eb-formVer" role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog1" aria-label="dialog1">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<form action="https://citywatchla.us2.list-manage.com/subscribe/post?u=34d69f33624fd058ee9b56516&amp;id=4bfa422f51&amp;f_id=00d6c2e1f0" class="eb" method="post" id="mcform-1" name="mcform-1" target="_blank">
			<div class="eb-form-header"><p><img src="/images/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png" alt="be a city watcher" width="350" height="97" loading="lazy" data-path="local-images:/2023/06/be-a-city-watcher.png"></p>
<p>Sign up to receive our special e-news blasts on Monday and Thursday evenings!</p></div>
	
					<div class="eb-field-row">

			
			
			
			<input class="eb-input" type="email" name="EMAIL"  placeholder="Email address"  id="EMAIL" value="" required>

			
		</div>
										
	<div class="eb-footer">
    	<button class="eb-btn" type="submit" name="subscribe" style="background-color:rgba(93, 183, 93, 1);color:rgba(255, 255, 255, 1)">
    		Sign up    	</button>
    </div>
</form>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>
<div data-id="3" 
	class="eb-inst eb-hide eb-yesno eb-3 "
	data-options='{"trigger":"onScrollDepth","trigger_selector":"","delay":0,"early_trigger":false,"scroll_depth":"percentage","scroll_depth_value":80,"firing_frequency":2,"reverse_scroll_close":false,"threshold":0,"close_out_viewport":false,"exit_timer":1000,"idle_time":1000,"close_on_esc":false,"animation_open":"fadeInUp","animation_close":"fadeOut","animation_duration":300,"disable_page_scroll":false,"test_mode":false,"debug":false,"ga_tracking":true,"ga_tracking_id":"G-P16BQ7X1SW","ga_tracking_event_category":"EngageBox","ga_tracking_event_label":"Box #3 - Yes \/ No Donation Popup Box","auto_focus":false}'
	data-type='popup'
	>

	<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-outside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>
	<div class="eb-dialog " role="dialog" aria-modal="true" id="dialog3" aria-label="dialog3">
		
		<button type="button" data-ebox-cmd="close" class="eb-close placement-inside" aria-label="Close">
	<img alt="close popup button" />
	<span aria-hidden="true">&times;</span>
</button>	
		<div class="eb-container">
						<div class="eb-content">
				
<div class="ebox-yes-no">
	<div class="ebox-yn-text">
		
		
		<div class="ebox-yn-headline" style="font-size:22px;color:#888888">
			<p>If you only give once a month, would you consider giving to CityWatch?</p>
<p>Your support fuels our mission to promote and facilitate civic engagement and neighborhood empowerment, and to hold area government and its politicians accountable.</p>
<p>Would you like to help? Even if you can only give $5, it will make a difference.</p>		</div>
			</div>
	
	<div class="ebox-ys-buttons" style="font-size: 16px;">
		
<a
					data-ebox-prevent="0"
		data-ebox-cmd="close"
				target="_self"
		href="https://www.citywatchla.com/donate"
		rel="noopener"
	
	
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#2ec664;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Yes
	</a>
<a
	
	
			data-ebox-cmd="close"
		href="#"
	
	
	class="ebox-ys-btn"
	style="background-color:#ef2345;color:#ffffff;min-width:100px">
	Not Right Now
	</a>	</div>

	</div>			</div>
		</div>
	</div>	
</div>