BP Adams Applauds NYC Council Home Sharing Legislation
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams applauded the New York City Council’s recent legislation regarding home sharing listing disclosure yesterday.
The new bill, introduced earlier this month, would require online home-sharing companies to submit identifying data about their individual listings to the Mayor’s Office of Special Enforcement, which is tasked with going after illegal hotel operators. They would have to report the addresses of all booked listings, the hosts’ names and their home addresses, as well as the online posting numbers.
Additionally, the measure would allow the city to fine Airbnb and other home-sharing companies between $5,000 and $25,000 for each listing left off the report, according to Politico.
The measure aims to restrict home-sharing companies from turning rent-stabilized apartments into short-term hotels. Under current state law, residents of most apartment buildings cannot rent their units for fewer than 30 days unless they are present.
“What I cannot allow, what I do not support, and what I have increasingly seen, are commercial operators who make an end-run around our laws, displacing actual tenants for their own profit by illegally warehousing dozens of housing units that could be available for long-term rental,” said Adams.
Unfortunately, many of these home sharing platforms have been co-opted by bad-acting landlords and real estate speculators who remove thousands of housing units from the marketplace, resulting in a depletion of our already scarce affordable housing supply and, in many cases, higher rents for long-standing tenants. Our enforcement agencies must have the basic information needed to stop illegal operators from profiting off our precious affordable housing stock,” added Adams.
Donovan’s Homeland Security Bills Pass House Unanimously
Congressman Dan Donovan’s (R-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) announced passage of his homeland security bills by the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday.
The Shielding Public Spaces from Vehicular Terrorism Act and Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act provide resources to address evolving terror threats and authorize a federal laboratory that develops innovative technologies for first responders and law enforcement agents. The bills unanimously passed by voice vote. Additionally, the measures make the U.S. safer by enhancing the nation’s ability to prevent, prepare for, and respond to terror attacks.
The Shielding Public Spaces from Vehicular Terrorism Act – which was developed in response to the deadly October vehicle terror attack in Manhattan – requires the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate to research and develop new tools and effective safeguards to combat emerging terrorist threats, including vehicular attacks.
The Supporting Research and Development for First Responders Act authorizes the National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL). NUSTL, which is located in New York City, researches, develops, and evaluates new technologies for law enforcement officers and first responders to ensure that they have the tools needed to prevent, prepare for, and respond to terror attacks and emergency situations.
“Terrorists are evolving their methods and shifting their targets. Enhancing our preparedness efforts and giving our first responders the tools needed to protect our communities is more important than ever. In this time of increased threats, it is necessary to assess vulnerabilities, implement the most effective safeguards, and support our people on the frontline,,” said Donovan.
Treyger Diaper Bill Heard By Women, Government Operation Committees
City Council member Mark Treyger’s (D-Coney Island, Bensonhurst, Gravesend) legislation aimed at providing free diapers to women at social service centers was heard yesterday at a joint City Council hearing of the Committees on Women and Government Operations.
Int. 380, originally introduced last fall and re-introduced earlier this year, would require the Department of Citywide Administrative Services to provide free diapers at domestic violence shelters, childcare centers, and other frontline service providers.
According to studies conducted by the National Diaper Network, the cost of infant care as a percentage of income in New York State is 55% for single-parent households. In the first year of an infant’s life, over 3,000 diapers will be used, at a cost of more than $500. Currently, there is no government program which directly provides diapers for infants. Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) assistance and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) cannot be used to purchase diapers.
Additionally, childcare centers receiving federal Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) assistance do not provide diapers, and NYS Medicaid will only reimburse diapers purchased for individuals older than 3 years of age. Childcare is critical for working parents, but many childcare centers and early childhood education programs do not allow children to be dropped off without their own diapers. As a result, parents who cannot afford the cost of diapers are unable to work or attend school.
“No parent should ever have to choose between the cost of diapers and paying their rent or putting food on their family’s table. The prohibitive cost of diapers puts a heavy burden on many of our city’s families, and can keep young children out of the early childhood educational programs that are so important for a child’s academic, social, and emotional development,” said Treyger.
My legislation is designed to help lighten the load on our working families and strengthen our city’s social safety net,” added Tregyer.
Carroll Passes Legislation To Move up MTA Five-Year Capital Plan Submission Date
Assembly member Robert Carroll (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) announced the Assembly passage of his legislation to move up the date by which the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) must submit its five-year capital plan to the Capital Program Review Board (CPRB).
Currently, public authorities law requires the MTA to submit the plan every fifth year by October 1st. However, Tuesday’s legislation would move up the date to require such submission on or before January 31st, 2019, and every fifth year thereafter (A.11094, Carroll).
For the MTA’s upcoming 2020-2024 capital plan and every following plan, this legislation would require the plan to be provided to the CPRB during the legislative session. This shift would allow for a longer period for the public to voice concerns and allow the legislature to have a more constructive input in the MTA’s five-year capital plans.
In the past year, the city’s public transit system has been plagued with signal problems, delays and electronic failures. Last month, MTA NYC Transit President Andy Byford announced a $19 billion plan to fix the city’s ailing subway system. The plan includes signal upgrades on 5 lines benefiting over 3 million subway riders including the introduction of over 650 new subway cars and 1,200 Communications-Based Train Control (CBTC) modified cars into service.
“New Yorkers need a safe, reliable and efficient transportation system. That means making sure that we allow enough time to carefully consider how to address the many issues facing the MTA today and its capital needs. This legislation delivers a more transparent process by ensuring that stakeholders and the legislature are given the time they need to weigh in on the solutions we need to solve these issues,” said Carroll.
Williams Applauds NYS Attorney General’s Settlement In Fair Chance Act Violation Case
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood), Deputy Leader, applauded a recent settlement in a discriminatory hiring process case regarding a major shoe retailer.
On Tuesday, Attorney General Barbara D. Underwood announced a settlement with Aldo Group Inc., a global shoe and accessories retailer, to “Ban the Box” on initial employment applications in its New York City stores.
The settlement will ensure that Aldo complies with the New York City law that prohibits employers from inquiring into criminal history on initial employment applications. Under the agreement, the company will also take steps to comply with New York State laws that prohibit discrimination against job applicants with criminal records.
The national retailer will also be forced to pay a $120,000 penalty and come into compliance with the Fair Chance Act, Williams’ bill which was passed in 2015.
“Everyone deserves a fair chance, and the justice system should not be misused to perpetually punish people for their previous mistakes. I became a Council Member to try and break down systemic barriers and enact transformational change. When we passed the Fair Chance Act in New York City, we did so not only to protect applicants from being unfairly rejected, but to provide businesses with a broader range of qualified candidates from which to choose,” said Williams.
