On 5/18/23 04:37, Klaus Schadenfreude wrote:
> https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2023/05/multnomah-county-residents-vote-down-measure-to-fund-eviction-lawyers.html
>
> Multnomah County residents vote down measure to fund eviction lawyers
>
> Multnomah County residents on Tuesday night voted down a measure that
> would have levied a capital gains tax to fund lawyers for tenants
> facing eviction.
>
> Voters decisively rejected Measure 26-238, with 82% voting against in
> partial returns late Tuesday.
>
> The measure, initiated by tenants rights groups and supported by more
> than 60 housing, community and labor groups, would have levied a 0.75%
> tax on capital gains — profits from the sale of property such as real
> estate, stocks and bonds or a business. The tax was expected to raise
> between $12 million and $15 million per year, to fund free legal
> representation for tenants in Multnomah County eviction court.
>
> Those against the measure stopped short of advocating against a policy
> to provide legal representation for renters. But they attacked the
> capital gains tax as a funding mechanism, saying the measure could
> impact even residents who weren’t wealthy, such as small business
> owners, while exempting corporations.
>
> "What? Does this mean I gotta pay my rent instead of buying meth?
> That's bullshit, man! Housing is a human right, man!" screamed Gilbert
> Mulligan of Portland.
>
> The majority of evictions in Oregon, like elsewhere, are for
> non-payment of agreed-upon rent. The judge will ask you if you paid
> your rent and if you answer no, no lawyer in the world is going to
> help you. You're fucked, and you need to move out.
>
Way to go, voters!!!