Examining the death of rent restrictions

Plus that other stuff that was on the bubble and a cadre of cardigans

Editor’s Note: This is a special Tuesday edition of the Observer for paid subscribers only. Come for the procedural drama, stay for the Big Lebowski reference at the end.

On a sunny Monday morning, the bid to rein in rent hikes we’ve followed this session met its demise in the Senate Ways & Means Committee. Could it rise from the dead?

Storm clouds have hung over House Bill 2114 since its ill-fated companion bill went up in flames in the Senate Housing Committee last month. It took a massive effort from progressive House Democrats, who include its prime sponsor, Rep. Emily Alvarado, D-Seattle to push it through their chamber. Some Senate Democrats are scrambling behind the scenes to match that feat.

That’s going to be a big ask. A last-minute effort to move it from Senate Ways & Means Chair June Robinson, D-Everett, offered a more generous carve-out for newer buildings from the bill’s 7% rent cap. No takers materialized.

Senate Ways & Means at work. If that looks like a lot of cardigans, you’re not wrong. (Photo by Tim Gruver)