Leon D. Young
There appears to be no end to the degree of Republican duplicity and its power grabbing obsession. As we have seen time and time again, this Republican-controlled Legislature is bent on trampling any vestiges of self autonomy or free will.
The latest blaring example is Senate Bill 107 that prohibits ordinances that place certain limits on landlords. However, in my view, I think the legislation should rightfully be called the “Landlord Power Grab” bill.
The legislative intent of this bill is simple and straightforward: It creates a grossly uneven playing field that favors residential landlords. More specifically, the bill prohibits smaller entities of government (a city, town, village or county) from passing any ordinance that restricts a residential landlord’s ability to obtain and then use various types of information about a tenant or prospective tenant. This egregious and personally invasive dossier includes: household income, occupation, court records, rental history, and credit information. This draconian measure would also remove any limit as to how far back in time a prospective tenant’s credit information, conviction record, or previous housing may be considered by the landlord.
In essence, SB 107 is a blatant usurpation of local control as it relates to landlord/tenant matters. Proponents of the bill advance the argument that a uniform landlord/tenant standard is good public policy because it reduces public confusion. However, I beg to differ. Local units of government should have the right, as well as autonomy, to craft their own landlord/tenant ordinances that cater to their specific needs. One size doesn’t fit all situations, and these types of decisions should not emanate from Madison.
In past sessions, when Republicans were in the minority, we heard constant complaints about unfunded mandates and the need to adhere to local control. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, we hear a far different refrain from the GOP majority: We know what’s best and so much for local control.