Brokers Fees Banned + Good Cause Eviction Moves Forward
No 152
Monday, February 10, 2020
A note to our readers: The Thorn has switched from Mailchimp to Substack so we can keep delivering you local New York politics news from a socialist perspective with fewer administrative costs. Starting in January 2022 our new issues can be at thethornnyc.substack.com along with how to subscribe. This website will serve as an archive of our past issues.
LOCAL NEWS
- In an addendum to last year’s package of rent regulation bills, New York effectively banned the practice of making tenants pay brokers fees. The real estate industry is up in arms over the rule change, vowing legal action.
- State Senator Julia Salazar’s good cause eviction bill was amended to allow for 3% rent increases instead of its original 1.5% amidst a new push to pass the legislation that includes support from Rep. Nydia Velazquez and DC37.
- State Senator Zellnor Myrie is drafting the Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, which would give tenants priority to purchase their building and covert it into a limited equity cooperative should a landlord choose to sell the property.
- Amid a youth homelessness crisis, the City has gradually increased its shelter capacity for young people between 16 and 20 years old. However, advocates and Council Speaker Johnson say there is more the City can do to help young people find shelter and access permanent housing.
- DHS has retaliated against New York State for the passage of the Green Light Bill, which allows undocumented people to get drivers licenses, by forbidding New York State residents from applying to Trusted Traveler programs.
- After two police officers were shot in the Bronx, the Sergeants Benevolent Association tweeted that the NYPD was “declaring war” on Mayor de Blasio.
- The Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS) launched a new update to its contracting system, which will allow the public to access information about contracts and vendors both online and at an updated in-person terminal at MOCS headquarters.
ELECTIONS
- Democratic State Senator Andrew Gounardes (District 22, Southern Brooklyn) will face Republican District Leader Liam McCabe in the general election this year. Gounardes narrowly defeated longtime incumbent Republican Marty Golden in the 2018 election, and McCabe intends to lean heavily on the recently enacted bail reform in his campaign.
- Gothamist profiled Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams’ political career after he made controversial statements several times over the past month ahead of a 2021 mayoral race.
REVOLUTIONS PER MINUTE
Listen to NYC-DSA’s weekly radio show Revolutions Per Minute.
Check out the show here.
