JOHN OKAMOTO: Killing it softly? CITY OF SEATTLE
It’s been six weeks since Seattle City Council members Nick Licata and Kshama Sawant introduced a resolution that would call on the state legislature to lift its ban on rent control. The council has yet to take a vote on the idea.
That’s because the Licata-Sawant resolution is stuck in the hands of one guy: temporary council member John Okamoto.
Okamoto chairs the council’s housing affordability committee, meaning he’s entirely in control of that committee’s calendar. When council members introduce legislation they want a vote on, the council president refers it to whatever committee is relevant. Then it’s up to that committee’s chair to schedule it for discussion…
