Republicans take NY Senate, could be trouble for housing advocates

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.