Welcome to the Future!
What’s happening? The District of Columbia passed an ordinance that will allow landlords to evict violent tenants but prohibit rent increases.
Why is this important? D.C. is stepping back from its pandemic-related tenant protections
How will this be important? The standard DC adopts is key- whether a tenant poses a physical risk to others. Does your state protect against violent neighbors?
What’s happening? North Carolina is considering HB 271 (2021 |NC) that would re-define public use by eliminating public benefit from the calculus.
Why is this important? its something property rights advocates have wanted for a long while, since at least 2005. Interestingly, the John Locke Foundation, thinks the bill could go even further.
How will this be important? Property rights bills aren’t disappearing. The US has limited land all the while, the population increases. People have strong feelings about the government taking their land.
The Daily Advance | House bill takes aim at eminent domain for ‘public use’
What’s happening? ICON partnered with nonprofit Mobile Loaves and Fishes to create the anti-homelessness “village” in Austin, TX. Internationally, ICON partners with New Story, a U.S.-based nonprofit.
Why is this important? This isn’t a one trick pony on one side of the political isle, ICON is also printing military barracks. Keep your eyes on them. Big things ahead.
How will this be important? “Having this capability where you’re not just building temporary facilities but can leave behind infrastructure that can get a foothold and begin the recovery – that has the possibility to become transformative,” –Lieutenant Colonel Alex Goldberg, a lead with the Defense Innovation Unit.
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What’s happening? Evanston IL is set to be the first U.S. city to offer reparation money to Black residents whose families suffered lasting damage from policies that effectively banned Black residents from renting or owning store fronts. Residents can use funds toward their homes, home repairs and home improvements.
Why is this important? Black Lives Matter and other social justice issues have shed light onto historic and current discriminatory treatment.
Why will this be important? This is not going away. Or in the wise words of my Great Uncle Helge, say what you mean and mean what you say. Equal treatment under the law means equal treatment as Uncle Helge would say.
Reuters | Chicago suburb’s plan to pay Black residents reparations could be a national model
What’s happening? The State of California is suing San Diego County for permitting development in areas that are prone to wildfires. At issue is the impact statements concerning the land development.
Why is this important? This sounds very familiar to large urban area that had housing developments in areas deemed as flood plains and then Hurricane Harvey happened.
Why will this be important? There’s no new land. There’s only the land we have and a growing population, which means land is going to be developed and the levels of government will determine the rules for development.
San Francisco Chronicle via Governing | California Sues San Diego Over Its High Fire-Risk Housing
What’s happening? SB105 (2021 | AL) would prohibit the use of eminent domain to create green space.
Why is this important? The issue in this bill is the perennial eminent domain issue- property owners want to feel good about the transaction.
How will this be important? Until entities that use eminent domain start talking about eminent domain use in a positive way where everyone feels good about what happened, they’ll continue this. Just be nicer, and this will be a cake walk.
News 19 | North Alabama officials worried anti-eminent domain bill could jeopardize greenways
What’s happening? The Lt. Governor of Texas press release lists his legislative priorities included is SB 30 (2021 | TX) that would remove discriminatory provisions in deeds.
Why is this important? More jurisdictions are addressing systemic historical racism.
How will this be important? Black Lives Matter and COVID are putting more focus on cleaning up laws or actions that disproportionately impacts communities of color.
What’s happening? A nonprofit in Portland salvages broken laptops, tablets and desktops, fixes them and provides them at low or no-cost to people who can’t afford new ones. Super important for the new work from home adaptation in COVID.
Why is this important? The non profit had a hard time accessing repair parts and manuals that prevented independent entities from repairing computers. Enter bills like H260 (2021 | MA)
How will this be important? Technet members opposes the bills saying they will make the devices more susceptible to hackers.
Route Fifty | Pandemic Drives Phone, Computer ‘Right-to-Repair’ Bills
What’s happening? CT will be the 8th state to prohibit race-based hair discrimination in workplaces, schools and businesses open to the public.
Why is this important? The Model Legislation, The CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act, is making the rounds through California, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Colorado, Washington and Virginia and passing with wide margins.
How will this be important? There is a significant partnership behind this model legislation. The partnerships of the CROWN Coalition, reflect an alliance founded by the National Urban League, the Western Center on Law and Poverty, Color Of Change and the soap and personal care product-maker Dove. This partnership and its steps are a model to emulate.
Route Fifty | New Connecticut Law Will Ban Discrimination Based On Hairstyles
What’s happening? We’ve reached the point in the pandemic when the lawyers start talking because of a declaration that there is a constitutional right to be free from a private business’ mask policy.
Why is this important? Not everything is a constitutional right. Feels silly to type, but a refresher on the Constitution might be in store.
How will this be important? This is very similar to news during the last week that the publisher of Dr. Seuss books is pulling several volumes and won’t print them. This business decision by a private business has been heralded by some as an assault on Dr. Seuss. It’s personal for them. Like the mask issue is personal even though private businesses can adopt a mandatory mask policy.
KHOU 11 | No, it’s not your ‘constitutional right’ to refuse to follow a business’ mask policy