Republicans take NY Senate, could be trouble for housing advocates

June 08, 2009 06:20PM

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Pedro Espada Jr. (left) and Hiram Monserrate
Republicans seized control of the New York State Senate today, in a reversal of fortune for the Democratic Party, which controlled the Senate for almost five months. A leadership fight erupted on the floor of the Senate with two Democrats, Pedro Espada Jr. and Hiram Monserrate, joining the 30 Senate Republicans in a motion that would displace Democrats as the party in control. This might come as bad news for housing advocates who were hoping Democratic control of the senate would push forward new housing legislation, including eliminating vacancy decontrol for rent-stabilized units. [NYT]


Comments

C. Quinn

Um, so what we have here are guys who don't accept that its the landlord's fault if their tenants suck at making a living.

Comment #1 Posted By: C. Quinn 06/08/09

Anonymous

What we have here is one guy who is being investigated by the Bronx DA (Espada), and another guy who was indicted for beating up his girlfriend (Montserrate) purporting to stand on "principle." Once again, our NY leaders are driven only by who will pay them the most, always real estate/wall street/big business interests like Golisano and Bloomberg who, as republicans, bankrupted our country and middle class with their "principles" and left the majority of us homeless and unemployed. Can't wait for the Queens and Bronx electorates to throw out these two and install people with real principles who will represent them.

Comment #2 Posted By: Anonymous 06/08/09

Anonymous

Democrats would spoil their own wet dream - which is exactly what they're doing now. Imagine having control over the senate, then blowing it due to intra-party fighting? Dems can't help it; it's what they do. Oh, and I totally concur with comment #2, minus the reference to Bloomberg.

Comment #3 Posted By: Anonymous 06/08/09

Anonymous

scum of the earth

Comment #4 Posted By: Anonymous 06/09/09

Anonymous

A win for the good guys! Lets wipe out rent regulation for good. This is not WWII anymore and we all know average rents in the city would come down if rent regulation was abolished.

Comment #5 Posted By: Anonymous 06/09/09

Anonymous

I am happy about it. The Democrats got control and immediately put in bills that are anti free market and that will only makes things worse. Strengthening rent controls, removal of vacancy decontrol. Typical pandering to the far left wing. I am a Democrat and if that is the way the handle things when in control, then long let the Republicans rule.

Comment #6 Posted By: Anonymous 06/09/09

Anonymous

Who cares. and just because you are of one party, should not mean you have to vote that way. That is the problem. Washington was right when he said there should be no parties. I also thought they went to the republican caucus for bipartisanship....how is that so if they now claim a republican take over. Just pathetic. Guess they wont get re-elected. I AM GOING GREEN and to hell with these others. If there are parties there HAS to be a 4 party system at least.

Comment #7 Posted By: Anonymous 06/09/09

Anonymous

They still have to answer to their constituencies for re-election, so I wouldn't bank on any major modifications to rent control.

Comment #8 Posted By: Anonymous 06/09/09

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