California's real estate development process is under scrutiny due to allegations of corruption linked to discretionary approval processes. Critics argue that the system, which requires housing approvals to go through a discretionary process involving city councils, fosters corruption. This system is reportedly maintained with the support of advocacy groups financed by entities like @calfund. The ongoing wave of corruption is attributed to the wide authority granted to politicians and bureaucrats to deny or delay development projects. The New York Times has highlighted these issues, along with a lawsuit involving RealPage, pointing to arbitrary zoning and building laws as key enablers of corruption.