Bill would let homeless keep belongings

There's a bill pending in the Minnesota legislature that its sponsor aptly calls the "let-people-get-their-stuff bill." The bill stems from the epidemic of homelessness that's swept America, and it's long overdue.

If it becomes law, the proposal will let homeless people retrieve belongings from their cars that have been impounded, even if they don't have the money to get the car back.

Well, gee. I can't believe this isn't already the law. If your car gets impounded, I didn't think it meant your possessions that were in the car got impounded too. Morally speaking, it's a form of theft for the impound lot to take your belongings that are in the car. (Depending on the circumstances, impounding the car itself might be too. These days, the government impounds cars at the drop of a hat, without even bothering with any semblance of due process.)

Surprisingly, however, current law in Minnesota lets impound lots auction off cars that still contain owners' possessions. Homeless people have lost valuable belongings (including family photos) because of this legalized theft, for corrupt impound lots flatly refused to return the items, even when asked.

The "let-people-get-their-stuff bill" that would remedy this pilfering has been in the works for a few years, but a few towing companies actually opposed it because they were afraid they'd lose leverage over homeless people if they were able to get their possessions back.

I don't know if the "let-people-get-their-stuff bill" has passed yet, but it ought to damn well pass with not a single opponent. What sort of legislator would oppose something like this? A conservative one, perhaps, but that's about it. It's heartless for a lawmaker to oppose this bill, and for a towing company to oppose it for fear of losing leverage would be downright greedy.

Meanwhile, poverty and homelessness are still rising as the government fails to stem to foreclosure crisis, the recession worsens, and the draconian "soak-the-poor" policies of the Contract With America remain on the books.

(Source: http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/16628686.html)