Council Member Dillion Testifies at Washington Legislative Session

Council Member Paul Dillion Testifies at Washington State Legislative Session

Ginny Ramos, Legislative Assistant, [email protected]

Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 10:07 a.m.

This week, Spokane City Council Member Paul Dillon testified in favor of two bills introduced at the Washington State legislative session.

The first, House Bill 2114, calls for limitations on rent and fee increases and provides other protections for tenants, such as rent and fee increase notice requirements, tenant lease termination provisions, and limits move-in fees, security deposits, and late fees. It also provides remedies and enforcement methods to assist tenants under the Consumer Protection Act. CM Dillon illustrated local examples in his testimony:

"According to last weekend's Spokesman-Review, Spokane's number of evictions filed by landlords increased by 44% since 2019, the last year before COVID-19 altered housing access," said Council Member Dillon. "More than half of all renters in the Spokane area are considered "cost-burdened," spending more than 30% of their income on housing as rent has outpaced inflation with some of the highest increases nationally along with rent gouging, excessive fees and short notices. I believe firmly that housing is a human right."

The second bill CM Dillon testified on, Senate Bill 5444, would add to the existing places where weapons are prohibited. The newly designated locations include public libraries, park facilities, transit stations and state or local public buildings. In his testimony, CM Dillon indicated, "I want to recognize there were more mass shootings than the number of days in 2023. Too often, we are conditioned to expect so little from "electeds." However, Washington is different. We lead the way. It is critical that we keep building evidence-based, common-sense policies that will save lives." Dillon has spent his career advocating for gun violence prevention and was honored to be asked to testify on Martin Luther King Day.

Video of the testimony on HB 2114 can be seen here, and on SB 5444 here.

In addition to these policies, Dillon has advocated for legislative budget priorities such as a new fire station in Latah Valley.

About the City of Spokane

The City of Spokane, home to more than 220,000 people, is located in the heart of the Inland Northwest. Our 2,000 employees strive to deliver efficient and effective services that facilitate economic opportunity and enhance the quality of life for all our citizens. For more information, visit www.spokanecity.org and follow us @spokanecity on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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