35th District Rep. Travis Couture 2.15.24

35th District Representative Travis Couture and Jeff Slakey continue discussing this legislative session. They delve into House Bill 2001, which grants the state Supreme Court and the governor decision power on commuting sentences for felons, focusing on recalculating sentences to potentially release individuals from prison early. The bill narrowly passed, raising concerns about the impact on victims and their families. The conversation then shifts to another topic: rent control. Representative Couture opposes capping rents at 7%, emphasizing the need for increased housing supply and removing regulations hindering construction. He argues that artificially controlling rents is a short-term solution with long-term negative consequences, highlighting the decline in rents over the past year in Washington as evidence. Representative Travis Couture discusses the challenges of finding a balance between tenants and housing suppliers, emphasizing the need for thoughtful policies. He mentions a bill by Representative Cheney that proposes incentivizing landlords to keep rents low through property tax relief. Couture points out the complexities of the housing situation, attributing high rents to broader economic issues such as inflation and high living costs. He expresses concern about the state's affordability, especially for rural communities, and highlights the impact on families unable to afford homes. The conversation ends with anticipation for upcoming bills from the Senate as the legislative session progresses.