A Group of Portland Volunteers Advocates for Fair Rents in Portland – a City That Ranks # 2 in the Nation for Rent Increase Rates.
The City of Portland has just released a statement nullifying the proposed referendum, Fair Rent Portland, on the grounds of process. The statement is as follows:
“The City has determined today that the two potential citizen initiative referendum questions will not be eligible for the November 7, 2017 election given that they do not meet the ordinance’s requirements. Specifically, the city council must do the following before these questions can be properly submitted to the voters.
- set a public hearing date on each initiative at its next regularly scheduled meeting after the petition signatures have been validated by the clerk;
- give 10 days notice of that scheduled hearing and;
- hold that hearing and submit the initiative to the voters at least 90 days before the next regularly scheduled election
This press release from the city’s spokesperson was released just a few hours after the Fair Rent Portland volunteers filed petitions with the city clerk’s office to have protections for renters in the city on the November 2017 ballot.
The City’s Housing Committee was established at the request of Mayor Ethan Strimling. It’s chair is Councilor Jill Duson and it is vice-chaired by David Brennerman; both conservatives. The Committee has refused to advance or support any ordinances that would assist renters in the city of Portland. Duson is up for re-election in the fall and needs to be replaced by Joey Brunelle, Munjoy Hill resident.
Bree LaCasse, a recent candidate for the Duson seat, works for a developer. She did not respond last week to an email from mhn.com seeking her response to the Fair Rent Portland proposal. Following the flashy launch of her campaign at Congress Square Park, she told mhn.com she intended to meet with Fair Rent Portland and would get back to mhn.com with her views on the referendum. She never did get back. Bree withdraw from the race! (She is employed by a developer.) It’s time!
Brennerman is not seeking re-election.
The process described by the city above also applies to a petition that is circulating regarding development in the City of Portland.
Please see previous post herein for more information on the proposed Fair Rent Portland referendum.