Senate Democrats Announce Agreement on Rent Laws + DecrimNY Bill to be Introduced

Local News

• After an intense week of protests, including 61 arrests at the State Capitol, Senate Democrats claim to have achieved consensus on “all nine bills” of the universal rent control platform. State Senator Julia Salazar (District 18, North Brooklyn) and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams appeared on WNYC to advocate and explain the bills.
• Before the consensus was announced, the State Senate was mulling several proposals that would have significantly watered down the bills, especially the crucial “good cause eviction” bill.
• As a result of a constitutional challenge brought by activists and the Legal Aid Society, the NYPD has amended its patrol guide to prohibit officers from profiling trans people for a prostitution-related loitering misdemeanor.
• State Senator Julia Salazar (District 18, North Brooklyn) and Assembly Member Richard Gottfried (District 75, Chelsea) are introducing a comprehensive bill to decriminalize prostitution in New York State. The bill is not expected to be voted on before the Legislature adjourns in June, but if it is ultimately passed New York will become the first state in the US to fully decriminalize sex work.
• The Climate and Community Protection Act, which would transition New York to 100% renewable energy by 2050, has a majority of sponsors in the State Assembly and Senate, but it is still unclear if it will be voted on due to Cuomo’s opposition.
• Cuomo and State Democratic Party chair Jay Jacobs are attempting to kill the Green Light bill by warning Long Island Democratic State Senators of an anti-immigrant backlash that could cost them in future elections. The Green Light bill would allow undocumented immigrants to receive driver’s licenses.
• Environmental regulators in New Jersey joined their counterparts in New York by rejecting a bid to build a natural gas pipeline across New York harbor. Environmental groups hailed the decision but pipeline operator Williams Transco has indicated it will re-apply in both states.
• City Limits examined the difficulties of aging in the City’s homeless shelter system.

Elections

• The New Yorker and The Indypendent ran in-depth looks at the Caban campaign.
• Brooklyn Council Member Antonio Reynoso (District 34, North Brooklyn) announced he is running for Brooklyn Borough President in 2021.
• Bronx Borough President Rubén Díaz Jr is preparing a pro-real estate and pro-development campaign for Mayor in 2021.
• Governor Cuomo endorsed Melinda Katz for Queens DA and is preparing to fundraise for her.
• Assembly Member Joe Lentol (District 50, Greenpoint), who has served as a North Brooklyn Assembly Member since 1973, is preparing for an unnamed progressive challenger, recognizing his support for AirBNB as a liability in his district. The district has a very progressive recent voting history, with Julia Salazar, Cynthia Nixon, Jumaane Williams, Zephyr Teachout and Bernie Sanders all winning commanding primary victories within his district in recent years.