at the end of July. Councilmembers Sara Nelson, Andrew Lewis, and Council President Debora Juarez opposed the bill.that prevents any cities from enacting rent control since 1981. Opponents to Sawant’s legislation say the state law must be repealed before the city passes any rent control legislation.
Sawant argued she wants legislation in place in case the state Legislature makes rent control legal at some point in the future.Seattle City Council President Debora Juarez said she voted against rent control because state legislators are refusing to overturn the law against it. “I’m not saying we give up, but I’m going to continue to keep lines of communication open with my state reps,” Juarez said.
Juarez also claimed the Seattle City Council has gotten repeated messages from state lawmakers that they will not reconsider allowing rent control. Many landlords and real estate developers oppose rent control, saying it’s an overreach that discourages the creation of new housing.