04/05/05
Urgent Action: Call Both Your Representatives Today
Help Build the Movement for Tenants Rights: Join the Tenants Union!
Washington State tenants have won important legal protections, but these rights don't go far enough. Help build the movement to protect and expand tenants rights and make the promise of safe, healthy, affordable housing a reality: 
Tell Them to Vote Yes on HSSB 5577 to require slumlords to pay for the relocation costs of their tenants
Your call is vital to get this important bill passed. Please call as soon as possible.
If passed, HSSB 5577 will require slumlords to pay for the moving costs of tenants who are forced to relocate due to the landlord’s neglect. If the slumlord refuses to pay, the City can step in and then collect the relocation payments from the landlord with interest and penalties.
Click here for more information about the Tenant Relocation Assistance Bill
You can reach your State Legislators by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000. (If you don’t know who your Legislators are, you can ask when you call this number)
Let them know you support the Relocation Legislation.
Sample message:
“I am calling to ask both of my Representatives to vote YES on HSSB 5577, but NO to any floor amendments. This bill will require slumlords to pay the relocation costs of tenants forced to move because of the slumlord’s neglect. I also want to thank my Senator for voting YES.”
If your Representatives have already endorsed the legislation, please thank them for their commitment to tenants. (Click here or read on to see who has endorsed the legislation already.)
Also, if you live in either Auburn, Burien or Southeast/Central Seattle, click here or read the end of this email for an additional action to take.
Status of the Bill as of April 5, 2005
Our bill was passed unanimously by the Senate last month, and has come a long way to finally reach the House Floor for a vote. Many tenants and supporters have worked very hard to get to this point. Your calls now will help us ensure victory.
Watch our website for daily updates: www.tenantsunion.org
Is your elected official a sponsor or supporter?
If your elected official is a sponsor or has otherwise taken action to support this bill, please thank them for their leadership. Saying thanks will encourage them to continue their support and will help us get more laws passed in the future.
Sponsors in the House:
Hunt (22) Main Sponsor, Upthegrove (33), Williams (22), McDermott (34), Cody (34), Hasegawa (11), Chase (32), Moeller (49), Kenney (46), Wood (3).
Sponsors in the Senate:
Fairley (32) Main Sponsor, Keiser (33), Kline (37), Fraser (22), Poulsen (34), Kohl-Welles (36).
Other crucial support from elected officials:
If you live in any of these areas, please also thank these elected officials for their support.
Auburn: Please call Mayor Lewis and the City Council for their endorsement and support at 253-931-3041.
Burien: Please call Councilmember Block and thank him for his outstanding leadership and support at 206-241-4647.
Southeast and Central Seattle: Please call Representative Pettigrew at either 1-360-786-7838 or 1-800-562-6000 and thank him for his crucial support in getting relocation assistance passed out of the House Committee on Housing.
Thank you for taking action!
To learn more about this bill, please either contact Michele at the TU at 206-722-6848 ext. 114 or visit our website at: www.tenantsunion.org