Also On The Agenda From The WI Rightwing Republicans (Being Discussed In The WI Senate As I Post)

[WillyT]

Bill affects tenant, landlord rights
A Wisconsin Senate committee held a public hearing the morning of Wednesday, June 8, on a bill opponents say would wipe out decades of protections for renters.
Wisconsin News
Published June 10, 2011, 02:51 PM

<snip>

A Wisconsin Senate committee held a public hearing the morning of Wednesday, June 8, on a bill opponents say would wipe out decades of protections for renters. The Republican bill would prohibit cities from limiting a landlord’s ability to use income and credit records, criminal histories, and rental histories to determine whether to admit or keep tenants.

The bill would also eliminate local ordinances that restrict the showing and leasing of apartments while existing tenants are in them. Supporters say the bill ends decades of regulations that have gone too far.

Senate Republican Frank Lasee of De Pere says property owners are responsible for the criminal activities of their tenants, so it only makes sense to let them consider those tenants’ previous records.

But Brenda Konkel of Madison’s Tenant Resource Center says a big chunk of progress in affordable housing would be wiped out under the measure. It was introduced the week before Memorial Day, and Madison Mayor Paul Soglin says it tramples upon decades of thought into Madison’s fair housing ordinances.

<snip>

Link: http://www.hudsonstarobserver.com/event/article/id/98915/publisher_ID/19/

:kick:

[qb]

1. They lied to get into power, and now they crassly destroy as much as they can before they lose it.

ugly.

[WillyT]

3. And This Could Go National In The Future...

Now that we are becoming a nation of renters because of the failing home ownership market...

:shrug:

:hi:

[WillyT]

2. Some Changes In City Ordinances

<snip>

City regulations that would be voided if the bill becomes law include:

— A city ordinance that prevents landlords from showing an apartment for future rental until at least a quarter of the lease is up. A city alder’s proposal to expand that time even further would also be dead in the water. If Madison tenants lose the protection of this ordinance “somebody could move into an apartment August 15 and it could be shown to somebody else and a lease signed by August 16,” May says.

— A city ordinance that prohibits landlords from requiring Social Security numbers in applications; this is one way that landlords can run credit checks but also screen out undocumented immigrants.

— A city ordinance that forbids landlords from denying an application based solely on minimum income requirements or a minimum income-to-rent ratio; landlords typically like to rent to people whose incomes are around three times more than rent.

— An ordinance that prevents landlords from denying housing based on an applicant’s record for convictions older than two years.

— A law that prevents landlords from discriminating against potential tenants or refusing to rent to them because they are on public assistance.

— A city ordinance that requires landlords to give tenants at least a 24-hour notice before showing an apartment.

The bill's critics say the loss of these protections will reverse decades of efforts to help people in Madison afford decent housing and avoid homelessness. They say that the city regulations helped keep the actions of inconsiderate, unscrupulous and even biased property owners who cared more about milking the value of their properties than the rights of their tenants in check, especially important given the high numbers of young student renters here.

<snip>

Link: http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_56455c8c-d8a0-565d-b482-3998980cb5ce.html

:kick:

[WillyT]

4. Update: SB 107 Passed 18 To 14, Straight Party-Line Vote

<snip>

Senate Bill 107, introduced on May 26 with the backing of landlords and property owners, as well as the construction and building industry, is on a fast track with a scheduled public hearing and vote by the Housing and Insurance Committee Wednesday. The bill would prohibit local governments from enacting ordinances that limit a residential landlord’s ability to obtain and use personal information from tenants and prospective tenants, including income and source of income, occupation, court records, rental history, and credit information, according to an analysis by the Legislative Reference Bureau.

The proposal also would preempt ordinances that restrict the ability of landlords to show and lease apartments while current tenants are living in them.

<snip>

Link: http://host.madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/article_56455c8c-d8a0-565d-b482-3998980cb5ce.html

:mad:

:kick:

[madrchsod]

5. it`s about home rule..

wait till the locals find out walker and his goons have stripped the locals of their home rule power.

everything will be decided by the central government in madison

[WillyT]

6. Yep... Big Government Republicans... Who Knew ???

:shrug:

:hi: