In a case of temporary sanity, the Seattle City Council recently voted down a bill that would have enacted a rent control law. Though Washington State prohibits rent control, the measure proposed by socialist Councilmember Kshama Sawant would have taken effect if the state repeals its prohibition. The council’s opponents to the law correctly argued…
Sometimes, a guy just wants to have fun. Last week, the Seattle City Council voted to eliminate single-family zoning. However, unlike other cities that are actually abolishing such exclusionary laws, the council boldly voted to change the name of “single-family zoning” to “neighborhood residential zoning.” Council members admitted that the name change does nothing to…
This summer, Oregon passed a law that prohibits the transmission of love letters. Love letters are written by a prospective home buyer to the owner, and they explain why the buyer loves the home. Oregon lawmakers concluded that “these letters can be a tool of discrimination by including identifying information concerning race, sex or familial…
Writing in the Washington Times, George Mason University law professor Ilya Somin addresses the issue of “just compensation” required under the Fifth Amendment when eminent domain is used to seize property. Somin notes that courts typically equate “just compensation” with “fair market value.” However, many owners attach a value to their property far above what…
The Seattle City Council recently passed a law that provides legal representation for tenants facing eviction. According to the Seattle Times, advocates claim that the law “is a small investment that will help people stay in their homes and forestall the ruinous, and more expensive, consequences of homelessness.” Whether that claim is true or not…
Last November, the Washington State Supreme Court unanimously upheld Seattle’s “first-come, first-served” ordinance. The law requires landlords to publicize their criteria when selecting tenants and then rent to the first qualified individual. Proponents of the ordinance claim that it provides equal treatment for all individuals. According to the Seattle Times, When landlords are allowed to…