R3 statement: Encourage Cuomo to deliver on his (new) promises!

In a NY Daily News op-ed piece, Governor Andrew Cuomo just came out in support of repealing vacancy regulation - with the unfortunate alternative of just raising the rent at which vacant apartments may be de-regulated.  (See his immediately prior position.) 

Read the statement below from the Real Rent Reform Campaign.  Then encourage him to deliver on the repeal and the other points he has acknowledged are necessary.  

Can Cuomo deliver on revised promises?

City Limits: Cuomo's Power Test on Rent Regulations

The Governor has vowed to keep the legislature in session until better rent laws are passed. But whether he can or will depends to some extent on ongoing tenant and legislative pressure.  

Rents soaring in Upper Manhattan and elsewhere, says Community Service Society

NY Daily News: Rents soar in upper Manhattan, western Brooklyn, per new Community Service Society study,

Gov. Cuomo supports repeal of vacancy deregulation (probably)

In a NY Daily News op-ed piece, Governor Andrew Cuomo just came out in support of repealing vacancy regulation - with the unfortunate alternative of just raising the rent at which vacant apartments may be de-regulated.  (See his immediately prior position.) 

Encourage him to deliver on the repeal and the other points he has acknowledged are necessary.  Then read the statement below from the Real Rent Reform Campaign.

Assembly Introduces Omnibus Rent Bill - Good but needs more

The State Assembly's plan is to pass this bill on May 19, 2015. 

The Assembly Democrats introduced an omnibus bill renewing the state rent and coop laws and making numerous changes to both the state and NYC rent laws. The changes are pro-tenant, although some of the changes are not adequate.

A7526 is sponsored by Assembly Housing Committee chairman Keith Wright (D-Manhattan) and co-sponsored by numerous other Democratic Assembly Members. (See list at end of this memo.)

A7526 extends state rent control and the Emergency Tenant Protection Act of 1974 for four years, to June 15, 2019. It also extends the NYC and three-county coop conversion laws to the same sunset.

2019 is the worst possible sunset year in terms of leverage. 2019 is after the next two legislative elections, and after the next gubernatorial election. Our friends in the Assembly are for some reason choosing to put tenants at a political disadvantage. This is unacceptable. Tenants should insist on a two-year extender, to 2017.

Activate blog: Thousands of Tenants Rally

Check out the Activate blog run by Met Council on Housing. 
 It's got great photos of the May 14, 2015 rally!   
(See also the Gothamist's article on the rally.)

Thousands of Tenants Rally to 

Strengthen New York's Rent Laws

By Mia McDonald | May 15, 2015. 

Results of May 14 Rally

Throngs of tenants rallied in Foley Square, marched over the Brooklyn Bridge (several hundred still coming at 7 PM), and into Cadman Plaza - where they were met by great music.   Tenant-supporting electeds were there. The question is whether Governor Cuomo was listening.