This week on “The Impact”:
In our first segment state lawmakers debate a bill to prohibit landlords from rejecting tenants based on their source of income. Supporters say Section 8 tenants, those who receive housing vouchers, and people who receive income assistance need more options to find stable housing.
“We have these vouchers and so forth that we use both state and federal level but they’re not good anywhere because you can’t actually use them in many instances,” said Sen. David Frockt, D-Seattle.
Opponents say the requirement could pose big challenges for property managers.
“The Bill says you have nothing to fear here, but by the way here’s a lot of money to repair your building when it does get harmed,” said Rep. Matt Manweller, R-Ellensburg.
Later in the show we highlight a trip to Olympia by former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, in an effort to support a proposal to reduce carbon emissions by imposing a new tax.
Our third segment features a point/counterpoint debate about the effects of proposed tax increases and tax cuts in Washington state.
“Low and middle income families pay such a disproportionate amount of taxes compared to the wealthiest,” said Misha Werschkul, Executive Director of the Washington State Budget & Policy Center.
“Lower tax rates. It’s not complicated, just reduce the financial burden that the legislature is imposing on people,” said Paul Guppy, Vice President for Research at the Washington Policy Center.
Click here to watch “The Impact” February 14, 2018