Suspend Rent flyers are displayed on Monday, May 4, 2020, along Second Avenue Extension at the intersection of South Main Street in Seattle. Credit: KUOW Photo/Megan Farmer
WA lawmakers consider funding tenant legal representation as renters, landlords reel financially from pandemic Jan 27, 2021
In Olympia, lawmakers are considering a bill that would make big changes to our state s eviction laws, including providing legal counsel to tenants facing eviction, who can t afford a lawyer.
If the bill becomes law, Washington would become the first U.S. state to provide legal representation for tenants facing eviction. Democratic State Senator Patty Kuderer, the bill s sponsor, spoke to KUOW about the proposed legislation.
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In October 2012, Kimberly Gerlach went to a birthday party with her boyfriend Nathan Miller and their friends, Brodie and Colin Liddell. After the party, they all went to a bar for more drinks. When the bar closed for the night, Gerlach and Brodie made their way back to Miller’s second-story unit at The Cove Apartments, while Miller and Colin went to a convenience store. As Gerlach headed up to her boyfriend’s apartment, Brodie stayed outside to smoke. While he was smoking, Brodie heard a sharp sound and turned to see Gerlach falling headfirst from the balcony of Miller’s apartment. She landed on the concrete steps below with the decayed balcony railing beside her.