Bklyn Lawmaker Roundup Jan. 2

Lawmakers Reaction To Death Of Mario Cuomo

Several Brooklyn lawmakers mourned the death of Mario M. Cuomo, 82, the former three-term liberal governor of New York, and father of current Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who died yesterday.

In no particular order:

Assemblyman Walter Mosley: “The passing of former Governor Mario M. Cuomo is a great lost. He served during difficult times in our nation’s history and left a great legacy in New York. My thoughts and prayers are with Matilda Cuomo, Governor Andrew Cuomo and his family.”

Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson: “Tonight I join with people throughout our state and country to offer my deep condolences to Governor Andrew Cuomo and his family on the passing of his father, Governor Mario Cuomo, who worked tirelessly to improve the lives of all New Yorkers and extended a hand to those most in need. Governor Mario Cuomo has left a legacy of outstanding public service and a record of great accomplishments. He truly will be missed.”

Mayor Bill de Blasio (the former Park Slope City Councilman): “Mario Cuomo was a man of unwavering principle who possessed a compassion for humankind that was without equal.

“He established the gold standard in New York State for how public servants should act, and set an example that the rest of us continue to aspire to today.

“He was a man who campaigned with poetry and governed with beautiful prose. He was a man who always stood for what he believed in, no matter what challenges were before him. He taught us how the family of New York—and indeed the family of Americans—must always support those most in need of help. And he was a leader who always brought New York State to a better place.

Public Advocate Letitia James (the former Fort Greene City Councilwoman): “I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Governor Mario Cuomo. He was a giant in the Democratic Party and a progressive long before it became a buzz word. As a young staffer working with the State Legislature, I looked up to him and admired his principled stances, particularly on the death penalty. He was a man of faith, and a man who was determined to make our state a better place for all New Yorkers. He sits in the pantheon of great New York Governors. My prayers are with the Cuomo family tonight,”

Walker Hits Ground Running With Residential Building Sale

With rent regulation laws for tenants in rent stabilized apartments and tax abatement policies for developers that provide affordable housing expiring, newly sworn in Assemblywoman Latrice Walker is being forced to hit the ground running.

That’s because her 55th Assembly District encompassing Brownsville has a large swath of both public housing and affordable housing stock. Compounding this is since being elected, Walker, an attorney that grew up in public housing, has been the de facto assemblywoman since March when her predecessor William Boyland was tossed in jail after being convicted of multiple felony counts involving political corruption.

Then on Dec. 29, the Real Deal reported that L+M Development bought the 625-unit Mitchell Lama development known as Marcus Garvey Village in Brownsville for $96.6 million with Housing Partnership Development Corporation (HPDC), a non-profit that confers tax benefits on its development partners.

While HPDC officials told the publication that L+M plans to keep the development affordable, the developer’s website said they plan on sinking another $50 million into overhauling mechanical and electrical systems and installing a large solar panel system, in addition to replacing the buildings’ kitchens and bathrooms. Renovations very often come with rent increases.

According to Walker’s Facebook page, she already “Met with tenants and L&M to discuss upcoming changes and renovation schedules. I plan to work with all parties to assist with a smooth transition.”