Mayor Reacts After Council Fails To Override Rent Control Veto

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley is reacting after the City Council failed to override his veto of a rent stabilization ordinance.

Nine councilors voted yes on Friday, one councilor voted no and five councilors did not attend the meeting.

The Council needed ten votes to override the veto. In a statement, Mayor Smiley says he understands why rent control sounds compelling, but it has consistently been shown to hurt those it's meant to help.

The mayor says in other cities, rents actually went up under rent control and new construction plummeted.

Smiley says his plan provides direct rent relief now - and lowers costs long-term through continued new construction.

(Photo credit JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP via Getty Images)