Williams, Levin Introduce Bills To Developer Subsidies In Check
City Council Members Jumaane D. Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) and Stephen Levin (Williamsburg, DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn, Boerum Hill), this week introduced two bills that would provide oversight of buildings receiving the 421-a tax abatement.
The 421-a tax abatement allows building developers to receive a tax exemption for a determined amount of years in exchange for builders setting aside a certain percentage of their units for affordable housing. The tax benefit, which began in 1971, had expired in January 2016.
On Nov. 10, the Real Estate Board of New York and the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York reached a deal that would end the 10-month stalemate about the 421-a tax exemption. The state legislature still must approve the deal.
Williams’ measure, Int 1366, would require the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) to audit a certain number of buildings receiving benefits under section 421-a of the real property tax law annually to determine whether such buildings are in compliance with applicable rent registration requirements. Levin’s measure, Int 1359, would require HPD to audit buildings receiving benefits under the 421-a tax exemption program to ensure that such buildings are complying with the applicable affordability requirements.
“While it has not had the results many of us hoped for, the 421-a tax abatement has the potential to be a win-win for developers and New Yorkers. However to make sure that this tax incentive is not to the sole benefit of builders, we must ensure there are safeguards in place to guarantee they hold up their side of the deal,” said Williams. “My bill coupled with Council Member Stephen Levin’s does just that and creates a process where noncompliant developers can be held accountable.”
“New York City needs real solutions to address our homelessness crisis,” said General Welfare Chair Stephen Levin. “We must hold landlords accountable if they break their promise to provide tenants with affordable and rent stabilized units.”
Cymbrowitz Delivers Swan Bill On Cuomo’s Desk
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach) yesterday delivered the bill he sponsored to save New York’s mute swans from extermination to Governor Andrew Cuomo, and the lawmaker is urging animal rights advocates to make their voices heard and convince the state’s chief executive to sign the bill into law.
The Governor has until midnight on November 28 to act on the bill.
The legislation (A.9289) would establish a two-year moratorium on the Department of Environmental Conservation’s controversial plan to exterminate New York’s mute swans by 2025 and declare them a “prohibited species.” The also requires the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to demonstrate that actual damage to the environment or other species has been caused by the mute swan population across the state.
The legislation passed both houses of the Legislature with an overwhelming majority.
“People in my community feel very strongly about the mute swans that live in Sheepshead Bay and the thought of the state coming in and shooting or gassing these birds is not acceptable to anyone,” said Cymbrowitz, adding he has urged the Department of Environmental Conservation to explore non-lethal alternatives to managing the swan population.
“Now’s the time to speak up and tell the Governor to sign this legislation,” Cymbrowitz said.
Anyone wishing to contact Governor Cuomo may write to him at the NYS State Capitol Building, Albany, NY 12224. The Governor’s office may be reached at (518) 474-8390 or at https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form.
Hamilton Puts Spotlight On Human Trafficking
Central Brooklyn State Sen. Jesse Hamilton and Documentary Filmmaker Danielle Rose tonight will host a screening of three-time award-winning documentary “In Our Backyard,” which explores and takes a look at sex trafficking in Brooklyn tonight.
“Too often, sex trafficking is identified as happening somewhere else; some distant land is suggested as the site of concern, not here. “In Our Backyard” refutes that damaging myth. This documentary brings into focus the nearness of this crime. That proximity deserves our attention. Alongside experts and advocates, brave survivors share their experiences. We see vividly the urgent need to combat this crime, to shut down the people perpetrating this exploitation, and the need to challenge a culture of misogyny that enables these crimes. And while there is no single easy solution, we can chart a way forward that takes on board the insights survivors bring, and pull together a coalition dedicated to confronting both at those crimes happening out there in the wider world, and also too, those crimes that are happening right here at home,” said Hamilton
The movie and discussion about it is slated for 7 p.m., tonight, Nov. 18 at the Park Slope United Methodist Church, 410 6th Avenue (between 8th Street and 7th Street) in Park Slope.
Menchaca Hosts Unity March & Festival
City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (Red Hook, Sunset Park), Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, NYPD’s 72nd and 76th Precincts, Street Soccer USA, local and citywide organizations and service providers on Sunday are holding a unity march and solidarity festival to celebrate his district’s diversity, culture and all that the community has built and has yet to build.
Festival attractions include a soccer tournament featuring local neighborhood teams, free play and mixed skills competitions, a dance festival and food vendors. Information from Atlas DIY, Center for Family Life, CUNY Citizenship NOW, Churches United for Fair Housing, Jaime Lucero Mexican Studies Institute, Mexican Consulate Community Outreach, Mixteca and New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) will be available.
The election results have left many New York City families with questions and fear. This is particularly true for many of our immigrant families in (City Council) District 38. It is important to help turn this fear and concern into something positive for these families,” said Menchaca. “The unity march and solidarity festival will allow the community in District 38 to come together and find comfort among neighbors, service providers and city officials, while celebrating the vibrancy of the community.”
The unity march will begin at 12 noon, Sunday, Nov. 20 at Sunset Park (5th Ave and 44th Street entrance). March participants will walk to Our Lady of Perpetual Help (Notre Dame Hall) located at 545 60th Street for the solidarity festival which is slated for between 1-4 p.m. Link to Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/
Cumbo Hosts Turkey Giveaway
New York Council Member Laurie A. Cumbo (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) and ONOS Footprints will host a Turkey Giveaway and Wellness Day on Saturday.
Participants will learn healthy tips for holiday eating, undergo free medical screenings, enroll in health insurance plans through Emblem Health and receive a food package complete with a frozen turkey and trimmings.
The event is slated for for between 12 noon – 3 p.m., tomorrow, Nov. 19 at the Prospect Heights High School Campus, 883 Classon Avenue in Prospect Heights.
New Kings Democrats Holds Emergency Meeting
The New Kings Democrats political club tomorrow is holding an emergency meeting tomorrow to marshal forces in opposition to President-elect Donald Trump’s promised agenda and to his controversial appointment thus for of Stephen Bannon, who many feel is a racist, as his chief strategist.
The emergency meeting will include an organizing workshop and brainstorming sessions that will orient newcomers to NKD’s tried and tested strategies for making progressive change at the local level; identify and detail opportunities for new and existing members to join the NKD movement and offer their talents; and to organize around new and ongoing work to continue to safeguard, grow, and export real progressive wins.
The meeting is slated for between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., tomorrow, Nov. 19 at the YWCA Brooklyn, 30 Third Avenue in Boerum Hill. RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/
