Mosley, Williams on State’s Renewal Of Rent Regulations
Fort Greene Assembly Walter Mosley and Flatbush City Councilman Jumaane Williams both reacted critically to Governor Cuomo’s preliminary deal with both houses extending rent regulation laws for four years.
The rent laws, which affects more than one million rent controlled apartments in the city, had expired on June 15. Housing advocates and many Brooklyn lawmakers wanted to see the rent laws strengthened so that fewer apartments would become market rate in future years, but in the final agreement the rent threshold at which a vacant apartment can be deregulated will increase to $2,700, from $2,500.
Additionally, the state agreed to extend the 421-a subsidy for developers without demanding more affordable housing factored into the equation. The full State Assembly and Senate will vote on both measures this morning.
“This preliminary proposal, although promising that actual talks are taking place amongst the leadership, still leaves a lot to be desired as it relates to the 2 million-plus downstate residents who so desperately need stronger rent regulation laws. I hold grave concerns and reservations as it relates to the limited rent regulation provisions that are linked to the extended 421-a tax abatement/corporate entitlement program – both for four years,” said Mosley.
We, in the Assembly, have always held true to the notion that preserving our affordable housing stock – especially in the city – was our number one priority and should not be bargained with. Clearly, in this proposed plan – these sentiments were not honored. To me, this preliminary agreement clearly lacks acknowledgement of this notion of mutual respect and understanding of the circumstances so many – especially in the city – face if we go forward with this planned proposal,” he added.
Williams said if media reports are true, the proposed rent regulations would be detrimental to New York City and would only contribute to our dire affordable housing crisis — potentially putting countless families on the streets.
“If the proposed rent regulation framework becomes law, New York City could lose approximately 90,000 affordable housing units due to deregulation over the next four years– units that do not just provide an affordable price point for tenants, but offer protections against arbitrary evictions as well. Separately, due to unresolved loopholes with preferential rent, estimates show that up to 250,000 tenants could see their rent go up by thousands of dollars, regardless of what the Rent Guidelines Board says and without advance notice,” said Williams.
“If a sincere deal is not pushed forward, I urge the entire legislature to vote No tomorrow morning,” he added.
James Lauds Cuomo For Special Prosecutor Appointment
New York City Public Advocate Letitia James, yesterday, lauded Governor Cuomo’s announcement that a special prosecutor would be tapped in cases involving police misconduct. The State Attorney General will serve as the special prosecutor.
James first called for special prosecutors in police misconduct cases on December 3 of last year. Since then, the call has been echoed by Attorney General Schneiderman, Governor Cuomo, and leaders across the state.
“Governor Cuomo’s executive order to appoint a special prosecutor in crimes against civilians by police officers is a major step forward in reforming our criminal justice system. It is unrealistic to expect district attorneys, who regularly rely on local law enforcement, to be absolutely impartial when investigating those very law enforcement officials.
“At a time when so many Americans feel the scales of justice are tilted, this move will help restore the public’s confidence in our criminal justice system. It’s why I’ve been proud to lead the effort to enact this measure – along with others including body-worn cameras for police officers – that will make our criminal justice system stronger and more fair,” she said.
Greenfield, Levin Hail Increase of After School Vouchers
Brooklyn City Council members David Greenfield and Stephen Levin announced yesterday funding for Priority 5 vouchers will reach an all-time high with a $17 million allocation in the FY 2016 New York City budget slated to pass this week.
The vouchers provide money for low-income parents that work so that their children can attend after-school programs. Both Greenfield and Levin led the fight for the inclusion of Priority 5 vouchers in the budget last year after a protracted fight with the de Blasio administration.
“This is a huge victory for working families in New York City who rely on these after-school vouchers for day care so that parents can work. This is the largest amount of money that we have secured for after-school vouchers since I was elected to the Council over 5 years ago,” said Councilman Greenfield.
“The $17 million for Priority 5 vouchers included in the budget agreement is a major victory for children and families. This budget will not only restore previous cuts, it will also enhance this vital program and help thousands of families make ends meet. I thank Mayor de Blasio, Speaker Mark-Viverito, and Councilman Greenfield for their assistance and their advocacy in support of this important achievement,” said Levin.
Brooklyn Lawmakers Laud Lunar New Year Holiday
Brooklyn State Senators Daniel Squadron and Marty Golden, Assembly member William Colton, City Council Members Mark Treyger and David Greenfield and Democratic Assembly District Leaders Nancy Tong and Charles Ragusa, yesterday, lauded Mayor de Blasio’s announcement that the city schools will close on the on Lunar New Year starting next year.
The East Asian-American holiday comes as currently 15% of all public schools students are of East Asian-American descent. In the Brooklyn communities of Bensonhurst, Gravesend, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights, and Sunset Park, Asian-American students comprise over 50% of the school population.
The following are some of the lawmakers’ statements:
Assemblyman William Colton: “It was wrong to have Asian-American families choose between having their children being marked absent in school or celebrating their traditions. Now with public schools closed on Lunar New Year, families will be able to celebrate their heritage and traditions together on this significant holiday. With Lunar New Year an official school holiday, we have made a step in the right direction of being more inclusive of the traditions of all families in our city.”
City Councilman Mark Treyger: “As a child of immigrant parents, I understand the need to be inclusive of the diverse cultures of our great city. Making Lunar New Year an official school holiday will now ensure that parents do not have to choose between celebrating their Asian heritage with their children and their children’s learning time. Moreover, Asian-American students who are diligent students and want to have good attendance records will now be allowed to celebrate this important cultural holiday with their families without being penalized.”
Democratic District Leader Nancy Tong (the only Asian American elected official in Brooklyn): “I am glad that Mayor Bill de Blasio has made Lunar New Year an official school holiday. The Asian-American community has been advocating for having public schools closed on Lunar New Year for a number of years, and I’m thankful that the Mayor and the Department of Education have listened to our calls and finally have taken action.”
Sen. Daniel Squadron: “I’m thrilled our hard work to include Lunar New Year as a school holiday led to Mayor de Blasio’s announcement today — and in time to ring in the Year of the Monkey. For years, we pushed so that those who celebrate Lunar New Year are no longer forced to choose between class and their most important cultural holiday. The Mayor’s pledge and today’s addition of Lunar New Year to the school calendar send a strong and meaningful message that as the city changes, the school calendar must change with it.”
Sen. Marty Golden: “Today, we can all agree that New York has fulfilled its
promise to the Asian American community to make the Lunar New Year an
official school holiday. I commend my colleagues and all the Asian business, civic and community groups that worked together to make this a reality. It is vitally important that we continue to work together to ensure our entire State remains culturally
sensitive and promotes our ethnic diversity.”
Brooklyn Lawmakers On Dominican Deportation Of Haitians
Brooklyn lawmakers including Congresswoman Yvette Clarke, Assembly members Rodneyse Bichotte and Diana Richardson and City Council member Mathieu Eugene continued to keep the pressure on the Dominican Republic for initiating the deportation of several hundred thousand Haitians and people of Haitian descent.
There are almost half a million Haitians and people of Haitian descent in the Dominican Republic, which shares the island with Haiti. Under the Dominican plan, all Haitians living in the country that cannot submit required evidence of having been in the Dominican Republic continuously since October 2011 face deportation.
The following are some of the lawmaker’s comments.
Congress member Yvette Clarke: “I am deeply concerned about the policy of requiring Haitians to carry documents proving their legal status in the Dominican Republic to avoid arrest, which recalls the policy of South Africa under apartheid in which Black people were required to carry a passbook in order to travel. Without jobs in Haiti or families to support them or homes in which to live, these displaced families will suffer the depredations of extreme poverty. I urge the Government of the Dominican Republic to reconsider this deportation policy and to work with the community of nations in the Caribbean to prevent this unnecessary crisis from occurring. With my colleagues in Congress and with the Department of State, I will work to prevent the forced removal of hundreds of thousands of Haitians and people of Haitian descent from their homes.”
Assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte: “The other shoe has finally dropped, and the threat of mass expulsions in the Dominican Republic is now real. Now is the time that the world community must keep its promise not to be silent and turn a blind eye to the injustice but act and sanction the Dominican government.”
Assembly member Diana Richardson: “The action proposed by the Dominican government is cruel, and represents the worst of human divisiveness. These are hard-working people attempting to seek a better life. They are contributors to Dominican society, and they deserve respect.”
City Council member Mathieu Eugene: “Hundreds of thousands of families who call the Dominican Republic home and were born in the Dominican Republic or have lived there most of their lives are facing deportation. It is unfathomable. It is our duty to recognize this injustice and speak out for the many who will lose the only homes they have ever known if this deportation occurs.”
