Governor Hochul signs legislation to improve clean energy development and efficiency. Image Credit: Office of Governor Kathy Hochul.

On July 5, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed a legislative package of three bills to further New York’s goal in decreasing greenhouse gas emissions and making clean energy accessible, affordable, and efficient. The bills will support the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act’s goal in decreasing greenhouse gas emissions by 70 percent come year 2030 and 85 percent come year 2050. (more…)

Governor Hochul signs legislation to create the New York City Housing Authority Preservation Trust with elected officials and advocates. Image Credit: Office of Governor Kathy Hochul.

The trust allows NYCHA to access new streams of revenue to help fund the renovations of 25,000 apartments. On Thursday, June 16th, 2022, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation which created the New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust. The Trust will give the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) access to new streams of revenue and will allow for necessary repairs to 25,000 apartments in NYCHA developments. These repairs have been deferred due to a lack of funds, often attributed to cutbacks in contributions from the federal budget. (more…)

Image credit: New York City Council.

The new office would advocate for New Yorkers who struggle with utility companies, but some question if another office is necessary. On June 30, 2022, the City Council’s Committee for Consumer and Worker Protection held an oversight hearing to discuss recent utility rate hikes and Int. 372-2022, a bill that would establish an Office of the Utility Advocate within the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). The bill is sponsored by City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. (more…)

Image credit: New York City Council.

On April 14, 2022, Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams, along with Council Members Rafael Salamanca, Tiffany Cabán, Althea Stevens, Shahana Hanif, Diana Ayala, Julie Won, Lincoln Restler, Shekar Krishnan and Crystal Hudson, introduced a first-of-its-kind Homeless Bill of Rights at the City Council stated hearing. The legislation, called Int. 190, would codify rights of homeless individuals living within and outside of the City’s shelter system in a Homeless Bill of Rights. (more…)

Image credit: New York City Council.

The bill amends the landlord’s duty to mitigate damages for an early vacancy of a leased residence. On November 23, 2021, the City Council passed Int. 2312-A, which limits the fees landlords can collect from tenants who vacate prior to the end of a lease to prepare the property for the next rental. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Kevin C. Riley, helps balance the needs of landlords to pay for the maintenance of units in preparation for re-rental and protects tenants from exorbitant fees. (more…)