State Senator Scott Wiener’s controversial housing bill, SB 50 has been tabled by the Senate Appropriations Committee until the start of the legislative session in January 2020.

If passed, SB 50 would have rewritten zoning laws to allow taller apartment buildings and multi-family housing near transit and job centers.

Backers of the bill argued that it would create more housing for Californians, which has been a pressing need for several years, and would reduce commute times for workers.

Other housing advocates argued that new construction in urban centers would displace longtime residents.

Weiner and Governor Gavin Newsom both expressed disappointment in response to the committee’s decision, but Weiner tweeted, “This isn’t even close to over.”

Guest:

Matt Levin, housing and date reporter for the nonprofit news site, CALmatters, and for the California Dream project, a reporting collaboration between KPCC and other news organizations across the state