Ordinance nixed that would have required Richmond councilors to verify residency

The Richmond City Council has voted to table indefinitely a controversial ordinance that would have beefed up proof-of-residency requirements for council candidates and members. Some had said the proposal was racist and would have discriminated against low-income political hopefuls.

Mayor Tom Butt, who drafted the proposed ordinance, said he would agree to strike language that called for landlords renting to council members or candidates to comply with all city ordinances regulating residential rentals, including registration with the city’s rent program.