The article is a few years old, from 2010.
The man behind the law:
http://www.downtownexpress.com/de_357/urstadt.html
The money quote, to me:
"Urstadt said City Councilmembers and even an ACORN representative have privately thanked him for the Urstadt Law."
41 comments:
Guess who else was at the REBNY dinner. The commissioner of DHCR Darryl Towns
http://nyrej.com/69341
How is it legal for the commissioner of NYS division of Homes & Community Renewal Darryl Towns to support a fundraiser that is proudly biased boasting its anti-tenant positions.
More and more I am disappointed, no disgusted by NYC council members.
We now see them for who they really are and not who they pretend to be. I might be too disgusted now to go see Dan Garodnick at the TA meeting. They all make me want to throw up.
Urstadt has heard the criticism and still thinks it was the right thing to do. The law “actually protects the city against itself,” Urstadt said. Without the Urstadt Law, the City Council would control rents and would be forced to yield to tenant groups demanding stricter controls, Urstadt said. Landlords would not be able to maintain their properties and would foreclose by the hundreds, and new construction would halt because developers would be afraid the city would regulate the units, Urstadt said. - This sums it up well. The man is correct. Rent controls are a losing proposition for all.
This is why we need to know why Cuomo stopped the Moreland panel from investigating REBNY when Cuomo stopped and blocked the subpoenas to REBNY investigating finance corruption. Urstadt will be in full force as long as the politicians in office are the one's who are bought by REBNY.
REBNY is buying, paying for laws against tenants.
Urstadt will never be corrected until politicians and Commissioners end their corrupt practice of fundraising for lobbyists against tenants.
Urstadt will prevail tenants demand otherwise. Cuomo, his boy Garodnick, and his Commissioner Towns partied at the fundraiser for Urstadt supporters.
DHCR Commissioner Daryll Towns whose job is to "protect affordable housing" supported REBNY at the anuual fundraiser gala where they raised millions for their lobbying against affordable housing for tenants.
Here is what the DHCR Commissioner is supposed to do and responsible for:
"Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) is responsible for the supervision,
maintenance and development of affordable low- and moderate-income housing in New York
State. DHCR is a component of New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), which also
encompasses the State’s other major housing and community renewal entities: the Affordable
Housing Corporation, Housing Finance Agency, State of New York Mortgage Agency, and Housing
Trust Fund Corporation. DHCR’s mission is to make New York State a better place to live, by
supporting community efforts to preserve and expand affordable housing, home ownership and
economic opportunities and providing equal access to safe, decent and affordable housing."
http://osc.state.ny.us/audits/allaudits/093013/12s31.pdf
Tenants need politicians in office who do what they say.
Tenants need a DHCR leader that upholds its purpose.
When Stuyvesant Town was announced up for sale August 30 2006 there was mass amount of buyers around the world scrambling to buy it declaring it "The Ego dream of the World".
If they hadn't already you would have thought NY politicians would have recognized what was a globally desired gem and preserved its integrity with laws and regulations. NY had one of the most prized possessions in the world and NY Politicians failed to care for and protect it.
reference: First Page of Chapter 6 Other People's Money Charles Bagli
It also talks to the too-late-to-organize approach of the tenant bid that put us behind the game in all the other bids.
We need a better leadership for this upcoming sale for either a tenant bid OR for stronger tenant protections from yet another new owner.
"Two Mayor de Blasio appointees tasked with affordable housing have ties to developers"
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/de-blasio-affordable-housing-appointees-ties-developers-article-1.1616075#ixzz2tVtBJFmA
Developers fears 8:34? Developers have no consequences from any of their actions and billion dollars stuffing their pillows at night. They have no fears. They may be displeased when they can only make a billion instead of 2 billion. But come on. Fears of developers?
We need as strong laws to protect tenants fears too! Developers will do just fine without all the tax break subsidies which amount to much more than any subsidies to tenants. Just even the playing field would be better than this city siege by developers who whine and cry for perks they don't need while tenants are made to grovel and then denied equal perks.
We need the Department of Justice to investigate the Moreland subpoenas to REBNY that were blocked by Cuomo. New York is under the control of bad and corrupt politicians. A lot of pols are pretending to be serving the people but not one of them is behaving that way. Not one.
UGGH these politicians make laws like urstadt then when we tenants push back on its unfairness or when we push back on any of the bad things CW or REBNY does the politicians defend CW and REBNY saying what they are doing is legally their right. of course its legally CW and REBNY's right because the politicians are making laws to let CW and REBNY get away with it. if one more person says they can legally do what they are doing and not realize how stupid they sound because we ALL know they can legally do it because the damn laws are written in their favor by you politician sock puppets!
But I thought NY had honest politicians.
so kind of like that other state eh?????
As pre-ordained, rent regulations sunset in 2015, a non-election year. If you want to pressure Cuomo about Urstadt, MCIs, vacancy decontrol, etc, do it in an election year. You have to force him to make a campaign promise. 2014 is an election year. Got it?
The City Council is a minor player in this (although then-Speaker Peter Vallone pushed through vacancy decontrol through the city council just ahead of Albany). The major damage was done by Gov Pataki (R) and Senate Majoriy Leader Joe Bruno (R) in 1997.
Albany is the real problem and the place to focus energy. Majority Democrats in the Assembly are still pushing for stronger rent regulations and Majority Republicans in the Senate (with assists from the 4 members of the Independent Democratic Caucus) are still defending the interests of the real estate industry and their representatives Steven Spinola (the Real Estate Board of NY) and the Joseph Strasburg (Rent Stabilization Association).
Tenant activists' strategy is still the same as its been the last few years. (a) Flip the bare majority in the State Senate from anti-rent regulation GOP majority by raising money to support campaigns of pro-rent regulation Democrats in winnable upstate districts where support for GOP Senate incumbents is weak. The current Senate makeup is 29 GOP vs 29 Dems, but 4 of the Democrats are members of the Independent Democratic Caucus and they currently caucus with the GOP. And (b) force the governor to take a stronger stand on rent regulation.
Donating time and or money to Michael McKee's TenantsPAC is the best way to undo the damage that's been done. Now's the time. Every time a RS apt unit gets vacancy decontrolled, we're that much weaker.
"Urstadt said City Councilmembers and even an ACORN representative have privately thanked him for the Urstadt Law."
uuggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Michael McKee's TenantsPAC? What have they achieved? They don't list any results. They don't have transparency on finances. They partnered with the TA on political endorsements last year. How are they any different than the TA?
There website is pretty bare. They say they collect money from tenants to support their endorsed political candidates. If I want to give money to a candidate I give it to the candidate directly.
We need to make our decisions ourselves and not let another tenant org speak for us or use our money in ways we have no say.
Even RE companies with enough money of their own to influence politics are smart enough to build or join coalitions and employ lobbyists because that's politics 101. Legislators respond to groups, not individuals.
If you want to donate to candidates yourself, go right ahead. But be aware that TenantsPAC does a very valuable service in researching and vetting and lobbying candidates on behalf of tenants and they do it all on a shoestring budget. Those same candidates are less likely to be interested in hearing from you and your party of one.
Bring back Al Doyle. HE had a clue! No more swamps!
It's time for people to get organized!
"Urstadt said City COUNCILMEMBERS and even an ACORN representative have PRIVATELY THANKED him for the Urstadt Law."
Clearly what some Council members do privately and what they do publicly contradict. This explains why Dan never helps tenants before harm is done and then pretends to be involved after harm is done.
Did Dan not think tenants would be smart enough to see his party photos?
Can't wait to hear what bullshit he shovels at us tomorrow.
Here is why things haven't been going well for PCVST for the past decade.
Schumer, Bloomberg, Quinn, Department Of Buildings Commissioner LiMandri et al at 2011 REBNY fundraiser raising millions of dollars to lobby against tenants.
No wonder in 2012 DOB took $30,000 from ST Owner LP for construction of "stuyvesant initiatives" including the offices they began in 2013.
http://www.masseyknakal.com/news/pdf/634345924646189282.pdf
How deep does this NY pool of pols against tenants go?
I'm agonizing over all of this.
Problem is Tenants Pac endorsed Hoylman and Hoylman supported Real Estate Company buddies Rudin et al turning St Vincent's hospital into luxury condos. The Tenants Pac lost all credibility when they endorsed Hoylman.
Bloomberg set Quinn and Garodnick to take over after Bloomberg's (illegal) 3rd term. Quinn was heavily financed by REBNY. When she lost REBNY turned to Garodnick becoming speaker - which thankfully for all tenants Garodnick lost even after Garodnick pulled a Bloomberg-like hypocritical move in his additional term in office.
Garodnick Has To GO!
Tenant Organizations protested outside the 2012 REBNY dinner. REBNY and the Politicians did NOT care. Thank God Quinn is not Mayor! The Politicians know it is WRONG to attend the fundraiser.
POLS INCLUDING GARODNICK WHO ATTEND REBNY GALA DO NOT CARE ABOUT TENANTS.
"And outside, arriving attendees took note of a group of protestors organized by the Metropolitan Council on Housing, who wanted to press the issue of affordable housing with elected officials hobnobbing with REBNY.
“We want to let politicians know that we know that they’re there and REBNY has their ear and need to be listening to tenants, too,” Mario Mazzoni, the group’s executive director told The Real Deal this week.
http://therealdeal.com/blog/2012/01/20/mood-upbeat-but-cautious-at-rebnys-116th-gala/
Real Estate predicts a strong 2014 for themselves.
Any crying they do to get big tenant rent increases or influence the Rent Guidelines Boards are FAKE TEARS! Well, they have always been fake tears.
http://nypost.com/2014/01/15/commercial-properties-booming-across-nyc/
Time to get organized? There have been patient, committed people at this steadily and relentlessly and competently for a very long time. I remember when tenants groups across the city organized a massive rally in Albany in 1996 to demand renewal of rent regs after State Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno blabbed to a roomful of REBNYers that he'd see to it they wouldn't get renewed while a NY Times reporter sat in the back. Huge numbers showed up from across the city, but not from ST-PCV. I think they rented 5 or 6 buses for us that were maybe 1/4 full each. You'll probably say it was Steven Sanders fault, or Roy Goodman's, or the TA, or Mike McKee. But that's not it at all. It's that people my age and younger here in ST-PCV largely cannot be counted on to do shit. Once the old timers are gone, it's over, Johnny. Over.
What good does agonizing do? Get out of the house. Join a local Democratic Club, get informed and involved from the ground up. There are plenty of them in the neighborhood, from the Samuel J. Tilden Democratic Club to the Village Independent Democrats. Or volunteer for a political candidate or a Tenants rights group. There are plenty of them too.
Joining a group isn't helping anyone. Tilden is heavily influenced by pro-luxury condo Hoylman. Groups have protested many many times but they will never be as loud or as successful or listened to like the Politicians listen to the money of REBNY.
Money talks louder than protests with this administration.
We need investigations and imprisonment into the corruption. That is what needs to be demanded.
The politicians have to go beginning with Garodnick and Cuomo and anyone who doesn't investigate the corrupt money .
12:30 your plan to get involved from the ground up would work is we weren't up against an administration corrupt from the top down.
We can't start at the bottom or we will stay at the bottom. We need to fight at all levels until this criminal money grabbing and pocketing by our pols and city commissioners is ended.
I believe that Cuomo is as ruthless and corrupt as any politician could ever be. His father was full of words, but he full of evil.
5:09 Totally agree. Shady deals. Up to his neck in abuses of office to help real estate buddies in return for $.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/15/nyregion/15cuomo.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
Google "Cuomo Farkas"
to see their MO. They use political offices to line their pockets and they leave a long list of creditors, companies, and middle income, even low income people destitute in dire straits for their own profits and amusement.
5:09 Cuomo is and Garodnick is his boy who does whatever Cuomo says which is why PCVST is the corrupt mess they are pillaging. Ask the TA anything and they will say "Let me see what Dan says".
Then Dan calls Cuomo so he can put the words in Dan's mouth.
Then we all then get to see it in a planned, timed, pre-written, rehearsed "statement".
A bunch of corrupt puppets. Would be angry too if these guys weren't so amusing as they most delusionally prance around as if they are the smartest man in the room. Dummies. If you get a chance to witness it in person go just for the grand idiosy.
February 18, 2014 at 5:09 PM no doubt he is. Here is but one of many examples:
Between 2004 and 2006 Cuomo reportedly earned as much as $2 million from his time with Island Capital, which followed failed political campaigns in New York and his scandal-ridden time as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in the Clinton administration. Cuomo's time at HUD included
a sexual harassment case and
abuse-of-office charges after he, according to the agency's inspector general, attempted to have the agency target African-American mayors in investigations of potential housing fraud.
http://spectator.org/articles/38873/andrew-cuomo-old-tricks
The Farkas Cuomo Dubai business dealings which made them each millions for their own pockets was with those who financed 9/11.
"United States officials say they believe that two suspected terrorists wanted by the F.B.I. have received help through two Persian Gulf countries with close ties to Washington,"
"The Central Intelligence Agency has obtained evidence that Mr. bin Laden has been allowed to funnel money through the Dubai Islamic Bank in Dubai,"
There are a lot of 9/11 lawsuits against this Cuomo bank.
http://www.nytimes.com/1999/07/08/world/us-officials-say-aid-for-terrorists-came-through-two-persian-gulf-nations.html?pagewanted=print]
Cuomo's corruption against New Yorkers is enormous. He will sell us out in a second if it will put money in his pocket.
"his abysmal record at HUD, his lack of prosecution of his political pals - and now his partnership with a bank that funded the 9/11 terrorists. From Andrew Farkas to Vito Lopez to al Qaeda's Dubai Islamic Bank,"
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2010/10/carl-paladino-slams-andrew-cuo.html
The GOP controlled State Senate and 3 term governor George Pataki are the reason rent regulation is in tatters.
Pataki is gone and we have Andrew Cuomo who claims to be a Democrat and in favor of rent regs. The GOP majority in the State Senate is set to flip very soon while the Assembly will remain majority Dem and solidly pro rent-regs. We have a new mayor who strongly favors rent regs as does the new progressive Speaker of the City Council.
You'd never know it from reading commenters on this thread, but things are finally looking up.
How that will shake things up and out here in ST-PCV is anybody's guess, but the relentlessly pro-landlord momentum of the last 30 years has stalled.
12:26 things are looking up only because we are not under a Quinn - Mayor / Garodnick - Speaker disaster. We broke their chain!
The TA is organized. They quit their own Roberts protest after 2 days. Way to go!
"...but the relentlessly pro-landlord momentum of the last 30 years has stalled."
I hope you are right about that because some of us have just about had as much as we can take. These greedy, evil bastards are destroying so many lives and livelihoods in this city (and in the country at large) that they have to be stopped before it's too late. We are living under an oligarchy almost reminiscent of Tzarist Russia - and we all know what happened there when the people got just too pissed off to take it any more.
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