04/22/2023
HB 3501 VOTE: NO
Died in Committee.
Status (overview) of bill:https://olis.oregonlegislature.gov/liz/2023R1/Measures/Overview/HB3501
This bill would a “right to rest” and would expand the rights of homeless trespassing.
The Bill states that is should be a “public policy of Oregon to guarantee persons experiencing homelessness participation in the social and economic life of this state, remunerative employment, use of and free movement within public spaces, participation in and receipt of the benefits of the services, programs and activities of state government and local governments and housing accommodations of the person’s choice, without discrimination.”
Guaranteeing homeless “rights’ has so far meant blocking rights of others … such as a disabled person’s access to a sidewalk or a small business owners access to his/her businesses.
Portland is being sued on this very issue. A small business selling goods must register and comply with thousands of laws, but if looters steal the product and sell the same product on open street markets, then the homeless person is allowed to be free of all regulations and taxes.
Why should homeless have any more privileges than anyone else. Entitlement is the root of demoralization.
What’s the buzz?