By Hannah Wiley | Sacramento Bee
Last year, California local governments effectively blocked the broadest proposal out of the Legislature that attempted to boost home construction across the state.
This year, lawmakers behind that bill are trying to win over cities and counties by promising them a lot more control over their zoning laws.
State Sen. Scott Wiener, D-San Francisco, modified Senate Bill 50 after months of negotiations with local government leaders who raised concerns about the state infringing on local regulations. Wiener and other housing advocates view local zoning restrictions as obstacles to home construction, and want to legislatively require cities to clear a path for more development.