Will Hochul’s affordable housing plan turn Long Island into The Sixth Borough?

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Gov. Kathy Hochul revived her battle with Long Island officials who control residential zoning laws that the governor argues fuel the Brain Drain and localities say preserve the region’s way of life.

Some leaders of the 13 town governments that largely dictate the rules of real estate development in Nassau and Suffolk counties panned the governor’s New York Housing Compact proposal that aims to build 800,000 new homes statewide over the next decade to address the housing crisis — and would give New York State the power to fast track and overrule local decisions on proposed developments. The debate pits Democrats in Albany who control New York State government against local government leaders on LI, where Republicans have the majorities in most town governments.