Senate Democrats raise the roof on rent restriction

Plus charter school money, labor and health care policy, and a Quote of the Week

If the Senate’s version of a proposal to cap rent increases prevails, tenants can still expect to live under the threat of double-digit rent hikes following a series of tense floor votes on Thursday.

House Bill 1217 from Sen. Emily Alvarado, D-Seattle, was written to cap said rent hikes at 7% per year. A Senate amendment bumped that limit to 10% and tied it to cost-of-living increases, reminiscent of Oregon’s original pre-pandemic rent cap.¹²

The larger debate over the general idea of rent control played out in this drama. Many economists argue that rent restrictions actually make housing affordability worse by suppressing the development of new housing.

So it was telling that the crucial amendment came from Sen. Sharon Shewmake, D-Bellingham, a Western Washington University economics professor.

Rep. Nicole Macri, D-Seattle, watches the Senate give House Bill 1217 a haircut from the wings (Photo by Tim Gruver)