Public Left in the Dark as Mayor's Lobbyist Endorses SB 79 on City Letterhead

Media
Jul 15
3 min read

Thanks to Kate Callen and the OB Rag, it's come to light that a Sacramento lobbyist and a sitting San Diego Assemblymember have both publicly claimed that the City of San Diego supports SB 79 — a controversial bill that would eliminate single-family zoning protections near transit statewide, allowing 6-story buildings on single-family lots.

However, the City of San Diego has never taken a public vote, nor has any elected official made a public statement in support SB 79.

No resolution. No council action. No public hearing. Nothing.

WHAT HAPPENED

On June 3, 2025, Sacramento lobbyist Moira C. Topp of Topp Strategies submitted a letter to Senator Scott Wiener’s office expressing formal support for SB 79.

The letter prominently uses City of San Diego letterhead (on page 1 only) and repeatedly refers to “The City of San Diego” as endorsing the bill. It closes by stating, “The City of San Diego applauds Senator Wiener’s leadership… and urges the Legislature to support SB 79.”

Assemblymember Chris Ward repeated the claim that San Diego supports SB 79 at the July 2, 2025, Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee. Ms. Topp was also present at this meeting, once again supporting SB 79 on behalf of the City of San Diego.

To date, no public record exists of any vote, resolution, or mayoral directive from the City of San Diego authorizing this position.

There has been no announcement from the Mayor’s office or the City Council as an entity, or individually, and no item related to SB 79 appears on any publicly available council agenda or minutes.

WHY THIS MATTERS

At a minimum, the letter creates a false impression that the City of San Diego has taken an official position on SB 79 when no such action has occurred. This undermines the integrity of the legislative process and may influence votes under false pretenses.

SB 79 would override local control, impacting over half of all San Diego's single-family neighborhoods, by allowing 6-story apartment buildings in residential neighborhoods.

Neighbors For A Better San Diego (NFABSD) is requesting that the letter be retracted, as there is no official record of support by the City of San Diego for SB 79, either through the public process or individual public statements by any San Diego elected officials.

WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN NEXT

If this was an attempt to sidestep the residents and City Council of San Diego to endorse Senate Bill 79 without public attention, it didn't work.

Mayor Gloria must make his stance on SB 79 known to San Diego's residents. The letter was submitted under the direction of the City's Department of Government Affairs, which reports to the Mayor. If this is, in fact, the Mayor's position, then he should provide a public explanation. Otherwise, the letter must be retracted.

TIMELINE

Time is running out! This bill has been flying through the State Legislature.

The next step is the Assembly Local Government Committee hearing, tentatively scheduled for July 16, 2025, at 1:30 PM.

If approved, SB 79 advances to the full Assembly floor. After a floor vote, any amendments must be concurred in by the Senate.

It then goes to the Governor's desk. If signed, the bill would likely take effect on January 1, 2026.

URGENT CALL TO ACTION — 1

CLICK HERE TODAY and tell Assemblymember Chris Ward not to be misled by a paid lobbyist's letter. Use your own words, or type this statement into the contact form:

San Diego DOES NOT support SB 79! Neither the Mayor nor the City Council has publicly or officially expressed support for SB 79.

(If Chris Ward isn't your Assemblymember, use this LINK to contact your rep.)

URGENT CALL TO ACTION — 2

Contact Mayor Gloria and tell him not to hide behind lobbyists. If he wants San Diego to take an official position on State bills, he must do so through the public process. Use your own words, or copy and paste this statement into your email:

Don't hide behind lobbyists. If you think SB 79 is right for San Diego, bring it forward to the City Council to be publicly debated.

619-236-6330

MayorToddGloria@sandiego.gov