June 2024
Weekly Report for June 28, 2024
REALTOR® supported candidates win in NY primary election
On June 25, New York State held its primary election for federal, state and local races. Incumbents generally fared well, as did REALTOR®-supported candidates in the State Legislature. NYSAR conducted two independent expenditure campaigns resulting in the successful re-election of Assemblymember Didi Barrett in the Hudson Valley and Assemblymember Michael Benedetto in the Bronx, both defeating Democratic Socialist challengers. A recap of primary election highlights is below:
Federal
In the 16th Congressional District, incumbent Rep. Jamaal Bowman was defeated by Westchester County Executive and former State Senator George Latimer in what turned out to be the most expensive House primary in U.S. history.
NY State
In the race to replace Senator Kevin Thomas in the 6th Senate District, Nassau County legislator Siela Bynoe defeated Assemblymember Taylor Darling. RPAC supported Bynoe in this race.
In Assembly District 106, Assemblymember Didi Barrett defeated her Democratic Socialist opponent, Claire Cousin. NYSAR conducted an independent expenditure campaign in support of Barrett.
In Assembly District 82, Assemblymember Michael Benedetto defeated his Democratic Socialist opponent, Jonathan Soto. NYSAR conducted an independent expenditure campaign in support of Benedetto.
In Assembly District 18, currently represented by outgoing Assemblymember Taylor Darling, Noah Burroughs defeated Lisa Ortiz. RPAC supported Burroughs in this race.
In the Queens race to replace long-serving Assemblymember Jeff Aubry who is retiring, Larinda Hooks defeated convicted felon and former State Senator, Hiram Monserrate. RPAC supported Hooks in this race.
In the closely watched 56th Assembly District, incumbent Democrat Stafani Zinerman defeated the Democratic Socialist backed Eon Huntley. U.S. House Minority Leader, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries was personally invested in this race in his support for the more moderate Zinerman. RPAC supported Zinerman.
In the New Paltz area 103rd Assembly District, incumbent and Democratic Socialist Sarahana Shrestha defeated challenger Gabi Madden. RPAC supported Madden.
A full list of primary election results can be found here.
Weekly Report for June 21, 2024
Long Island elections could decide control the U.S. House
In 2020, Long Island consisted of 2 Democratic and 2 Republican congressional representatives. In 2022, Republicans controlled all 4 congressional seats, however a special election saw a Democratic pick-up when Rep. Tom Suozzi replaced ousted Republican George Santos. Many election experts are now looking at Long Island in this 2024 general election which could help determine control of U.S. House. Read more here.
NYC Rent Guidelines Board approves rent increase
The New York City Rent Guidelines Board voted in favor of a rent increase for rent stabilized units in the city, which comprise of about a quarter of the city’s population. Rent increases include a 2.75 percent increase for one-year leases and a 5.25 percent increase for two-year leases. Landlords could start raising rents in October. Read more here.
NYC Budget negotiations continue ahead of July 1 deadline
Tense budget negotiations continue between New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council ahead of the July 1 deadline. City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams and lawmakers are jockeying to restore more than $220 million in funding for early childhood programs and libraries that was cut in the Mayor’s budget proposal. Read more here.
Weekly Report for June 14, 2024
REALTORS® rally at NYC Hall to oppose restrictions on broker fees
On Tuesday, nearly 1,500 real estate brokers and agents rallied at New York City Hall to voice opposition to city legislation (Int. 360) which would prohibit the collection of rental broker fees from a tenant to compensate a landlord’s agent. This standard business practice in New York City also helps reduce monthly rental rates. REALTORS®, including Brian Phillips, Anthony Demathoti (Hudson Gateway Association of REALTORS®), and Melissa Gomez (Long Island Board of REALTORS®) testified on behalf of NYSAR before the City Council Committee voicing concerns over the bill. Thank you to all the REALTORS® who attended the rally and voiced opposition.
You can still Take Action by sending a message to your NYC Council Member here.
Read NYSAR’s full testimony here.
Read more about the issue here.
City of Albany passes local “good cause” eviction law
On June 3, the City of Albany Common Council voted to approve Local Law E of 2024 imposing local “good cause” eviction following the state’s new regulations allowing municipalities to opt into the new law. The City of Albany is the first municipality to pass such law which provides eligible tenants who pay rent on time and follow lease terms the right to lease renewal, and limits rent increases to 5% plus CPI or 10%, whichever is lower. The City of Albany also modified the law’s application to any landlord owning 1 unit or more. NYSAR and REALTORS® from the Greater Capital Association of REALTORS® opposed this bill and testified at a public hearing prior to passage of the bill. Read more here.
June 25 Primary Election races
There will be a number of Senate and Assembly primary elections taking place throughout New York State this month. The Primary Election will be held on Tuesday, June 25th (with early voting beginning Saturday, June 15th). A summary of competitive primary races provided by The Parkside Group can be found here.
Weekly Report for June 7, 2024
Attend Rally at New York City Hall – Wednesday, June 12 at 9a.m. to oppose restrictions on rental broker fees
REALTORS® living and working in New York City are rallying at New York City Hall at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 to oppose Int. 360, which would prohibit real estate brokers and agents of a landlord from collecting a broker’s fee from a renter. Register now to attend this rally at New York City Hall.
Click here for an Itinerary Flyer.
Click here to Take Action by sending a message to your NYC Council Member.
State Legislature scheduled to conclude legislative session this week
The official calendar end to this year’s legislative session is scheduled for June 7, however, last-minute issues, including Governor Hochul’s decision to postpone NYC congestion pricing implementation may cause delay. During this final scheduled week of session, NYSAR has been actively reviewing and engaging state lawmakers on a host of REALTOR® related legislation, including proposals that would require disclosure of lead based paint hazards prior to a residential transaction, prohibit landlords from collecting broker fees from tenants, require additional transparency in the coop application process, create a first-time homebuyer savings account, allow for telemarketing during states of emergency, and multiple real estate transaction tax increases, among many other bills. NYSAR will provide an end-of-session report once state lawmakers conclude their business for the year.
Gov. Hochul delays NYC congestion pricing plan
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s announcement this week to delay the implementation of New York City’s congestion pricing, which was set to go into effect June 30, is reported to have triggered a multibillion-dollar gap in the MTA’s capital budget. The governor’s proposal to pass a Payroll Mobility Tax on New York City employers to fill the budget gap is facing opposition in the State Legislature. The legislative session was scheduled to conclude for the year on June 7, however, state lawmakers are now expected to remain in Albany beyond that date. Read more here.
NYC Mayor Adams’ “City of Yes” business plan passes Council as larger housing policy is debated
A slightly pared-back version of NYC Mayor Adams’ “City of Yes” plan to modernize outdated zoning rules for businesses, easing how and where they can operate, was passed on Thursday by a final 36-14 City Council vote. The Council made several modifications to “Zoning for Economic Opportunity” last month ahead of its passage, cutting a provision that would have brought more corner stores to residential neighborhoods. The final and most controversial part of the City of Yes package, “Housing Opportunity,” is still being reviewed by community boards, after which it will head to borough presidents for recommendations. On Wednesday the borough presidents of Queens and the Bronx signaled they would be proposing changes to the measure despite supporting it overall. A final City Council vote on the housing plan isn’t expected until the end of 2024. Read more here.