Incorrect answer:

NO. Because landlords are so distrusted in the community, it would be better to abstain than to call public attention to your outside real estate interests is INCORRECT.

The fundamental inquiry is whether you have a conflict of interest with respect to the legislation necessitating your disclosure and abstention from voting. Under the circumstances here, assuming you will not benefit from, or be disadvantaged by, the legislation any more than any other owner of such properties statewide, an improper conflict-of-interest situation is not present and you would be permitted to vote on the legislation. While a member should always be concerned generally with the impact on his or her public image of a tough or controversial vote, a member who too easily abstains in the case of a difficult vote when no conflict of interest is present is arguably doing a disservice to his or her constituents by depriving them of the vote of their elected representative at a time when his or her counsel or experience may be most needed.

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