Pacific Lutheran University’s 2019 Ruth Anderson Public Debate:

Should Tacoma Institute Rent Control?

TACOMA, Wash—Rents are rising in Tacoma and surrounding areas, becoming increasingly unaffordable for vulnerable populations and the middle class. Pacific Lutheran University’s Ruth Anderson Public Debate will examine the growing cost of housing in Tacoma and whether a policy for rent control should be instituted. Brandi Kruse, Q13 News Anchor and Host of The Divide, will moderate the debate featuring Representative Andrew Barkis from Washington’s 2nd District and Dinah Braccio from the Tenants Union of Washington. The debate, free and open to all, will be held Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at 7 PM in the Regency Room at PLU’s Anderson University Center.

Tacoma’s housing market has been declared the hottest in the U.S., in part because Seattleites in search of more affordable homes have started buying up property. Yet Tacoma’s job market is not competitive with Seattle’s, and as a result, many local residents cannot keep up with the increased cost of housing. Given these trends, Dr. Justin Eckstein, Assistant Professor of Communication and Director of Debate, said, “This topic is essential for our community to explore. The cost of housing affects people of all types and Tacoma has seen major changes in the last five years. Our debaters bring with them different viewpoints and ideas, and I’m eager for their opinions and potential solutions to be heard by the community.”

The debate will probe a wide range of issues from multiple angles, such as the efficacy of government intervention into the market versus market-based solutions and balancing the rights of both tenants and property owners. Registration for this free community event is optional and available online with Eventbrite. For more information, visit https://www.plu.edu/communication/forensics/ruth-anderson-public-debate.

For additional information, call the School of Arts and Communication at 253.535.7150 or soac@plu.edu. Connect at twitter.com/soac or facebook.com/plu.soac.

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About the T.O.H. Karl Forensics Forum PLU’s debate team is one of the oldest and most decorated forensics programs in the country. The T.O.H. Karl Forensics Forum’s mission is to provide undergraduate students a democratic laboratory to craft and test arguments, explore new literature, hone critical reasoning, practice public speaking, and develop leadership skills. The curricular and regionally competitive debate program provides travel opportunities for all skill levels. Participants balance debate competitions with service to the local community by featuring a forensics mentoring program and hosting public debates on matters of concern.

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About The School of Arts and Communication The School of Arts and Communication at Pacific Lutheran University houses the Departments of Art & Design, Communication, Music, and Theatre & Dance and presents more than 250 events each season. The School is a community of artists and scholars—students, faculty, and staff—dedicated to the fulfillment of the human spirit through creative expression and careful scholarship. The School offers professional education to artists and communicators within the framework of a liberal arts education.

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About Pacific Lutheran University PLU seeks to educate students for lives of thoughtful inquiry, service, leadership and care—for other people, for their communities and for the Earth. The university purposefully integrates the liberal arts, professional studies and civic engagement in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. With distinctive international programs and collaborative student-faculty research opportunities, PLU helps its 3,100 students from all faiths and backgrounds discern their life’s vocation through coursework, mentorship and internships at world-class Puget Sound-area businesses and institutions.