The facts are these: On any given day, 23,000 people are homeless in Washington, and another 6,500 live in abandoned building or under bridges – or in cars.
“Sometimes, that (living in a car) is not a bad thing,” Republican Bill Hinkle of Cle Elum told the House, adding that it could provide motivation for self-improvement.
Rep. Jeannie Darneille of Tacoma would have none of that.
“This is not the way children should live in our society,” she said.
The measure – House Bill 2048, sponsored by Rep. Phyllis Gutiérrez Kenney of Seattle – would raise an additional $25 million a year for homeless programs via a $10 increase in the fee for recording property deeds, mortgages, and other real-estate documents with county auditors.
The 55-42 vote for the bill sends it to the Senate.
Watch Rep.
Darneille’s remarks on the House floor:
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