Salem, OR – Following evidence of racial discrimination in renting practices revealed by a city of Portland audit, Senate Republicans are calling for more assertive enforcement of the state’s Fair Housing Laws. In a letter sent yesterday, Republicans asked Attorney General John Kroger and Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian to begin aggressively investigating and prosecuting violations of the Fair Housing Laws.
“Oregon was a trailblazer in the civil rights movement, adopting fair housing laws before it was a national trend,” said Senator Jackie Winters (R-Salem). “News of this prejudice in Portland is disturbing, and proof that the battle against racism must be waged just as aggressively today as it was in the 1960s.”
Oregon has a strong set of laws prohibiting housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, and other classes of people. Instead of enforcing these current laws with citations and prosecution, the city of Portland is opting for a campaign of “education and cooperation.” Senate Republicans are asking statewide enforcement officials to take more assertive action against these law breakers.