Hundreds of tenants’ rights protesters at the New York State Capitol on Tuesday blocked the entrances to the Senate and Assembly chambers and Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office, as they demanded the 2019 session not end until there is reform of the rent laws.
The groups achieved some results: Senate Democrats announced they have agreed to the measures pushed by the groups.
The echoes of the shouting and chanting vibrated throughout the halls of the old stone building as protesters targeted all three branches of government, which are all led by Democrats, who have traditionally been friendly to tenants’ rights.
More than two dozen people were arrested.
Paulette Soltani, political director for the activist group VOCAL-NY, said her group had high expectations for the Democratic-led Legislature, but with just over a week until the current rent regulations expire, they are worried about the lack of action.
“We are also deeply frustrated with leadership,” said Soltani, who added that the groups are going after “all three leaders. We are demanding today: ‘Do your jobs, listen to the people,’ ” she said.
The groups are seeking passage of nine bills they say will strengthen and expand the rent laws. They want an end to the 20-year-old practice of vacancy decontrol, which allows landlords to rent an apartment at higher market rates once the monthly rate reaches a certain threshold set by the Rent Guidelines Board.
The groups also want to extend New York City’s rent regulations to upstate and portions of the New York City suburbs that do not already have rent control.
They also are advocating for a measure known as the “good cause” bill that would make it harder for landlords to evict tenants against their will. That proposal would apply to the entire state.
Soltani worries that campaign contributions from real estate developers and landlords are influencing the discussions, but lawmakers deny that.
About three hours after the protests began, Senate Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said in a statement that after a lengthy private meeting with her Democratic members, “it is clear” there is support for all nine bills, and that they will be “advanced” in the remaining days of the session.
Cuomo continues to say that New York will enact the strongest rent laws to date.
“I will support the most aggressive rent reform in the history of the state of New York,” Cuomo said on June 3.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has said that the Assembly’s package will include many of the measures and “elements” of the good cause bill. Heastie spoke inside the Assembly chambers as protesters outside chanted, “Heastie, Heastie, you can’t hide, we can see your greedy side.”
“Tenant protections are something that means a lot to people and means a lot to us,” said Heastie, who predicted the “strongest rent package ever.”
Heastie downplayed reports that the Assembly’s sergeant-at-arms had been shoved by protesters as he tried to keep order in the crowd.
“People have a right to protest and show their exuberance for the issues that they believe in,” Heastie said, “but it should always be done in a civil manner.”
The rent laws sunset on June 15. The groups said that between now and then, they will be back.
