BELLINGHAM, Wash. – Bellingham voters will decide on four initiatives that would regulate rental agreements, working conditions and policing in the November election.
The Bellingham City Council has unanimously passed a resolution urging residents to vote ‘no.’
Council member Michael Lilliquist told Monday night’s meeting that he voted for the resolution with a heavy heart.
“Theses initiatives are well-intentioned but flawed in many ways both big and small. Some more than others,” says Lilliquist. “Some aren’t that problematic and maybe won’t be much of a problem. Others are a disaster in the making.”
Pinky Vargas says the measures are well intentioned but could have devastating consequences for businesses and the city.
Member Hollie Huthman says they likely wouldn’t pass legal muster and she wants to create better legislation.
“(Legislation ) that has input from all the invested parties, so that we’re looking at all of these issues through different perspectives,” says Huthman. ” So that we create the best legislation, the best steps forward, that we can.”
Initiatives 1 through 4 would, among other things, require landlords to pay some tenants to relocate when raising rent, limit police use of some technology and force employers to compensate hourly workers for sudden schedule changes.
You can take a look at the ballot and initiatives at VoteWA.