How does a state senator who is pro-tenant respond to a robocall made by the Republicans claiming the opposite?
Last week, the Republicans made thousands of anonymous calls to my constituents claiming I was opposed to rent regulations. Nothing could be further from the truth. I want rent laws to be strengthened, not just extended.
Michael McKee, of Real Rent Reform and Tenants United, has taken the same position, saying that “an extender for 39 hours is not adequate. We need significant strengthening amendments.”
It has been nearly 30 years since rent laws have been strengthened. During this period, hundreds of thousands of people have lost the protection of rent regulations. Now is the time to reverse this trend.
The use of anonymous robocalls was unconscionable. People were frightened, fearing they could be evicted. The Senate Republicans have said they want to end rent regulations, with one Republican senator from central New York calling them “socialism.”
I know first-hand how important rent regulations are because I grew up in a rent-controlled apartment. I want to reassure everyone that this is our priority in Albany in the closing week of the legislative session.
Toby Ann Stavisky
State Senate
(D-Whitestone)
