9.2.21 Advocacy Alert: NYS Extends Eviction Moratorium
Blog Categories
September 2, 2021
Last night, the New York State Legislature convened for a special session to extend the state’s eviction moratorium.
The moratorium, which prevents the eviction of tenants declaring financial hardship, will remain in place though January 15.
The move represents Gov. Kathy Hochul’s first legislative action. The bill passed 38-19 in the Senate and 80-60 in the Assembly.
The move comes in response to last week’s Supreme Court decision nullifying the federal eviction moratorium. New York State had previously imposed its own moratorium through August 31, and was relying on the federal moratorium which ran through October. However, without the federal eviction moratorium in place, New York tenants could have faced eviction beginning September 1.
The state already has a tool at its disposal to prevent evictions and make landlords whole: the Emergency Rental Assistance Program. However, the disappointingly slow distribution of ERAP funds has left many tenants at risk of eviction. Instead of extending the moratorium, the BNP urged lawmakers to focus on getting ERAP funds to tenants immediately.
In a welcome letter to Governor Hochul, the BNP urged her to make efficient ERAP distribution a top priority of her first 100 days in office.
Tenants and landlords in need of assistance should consider applying for ERAP here.
Full text of the moratorium legislation is available here.
Related Posts
2022 Albany Preview: 11 Issues We’re Watching
On January 5, state legislators convened in Albany (or, on Zoom) to kick off the 2022 legislative session. All eyes are on Kathy Hochul as she navigates her first session as Governor and jockeys for position in the June gubernatorial primary race. Here are eleven issues we are watching as the session begins:
12.21.21 Advocacy Alert: What’s the Latest on Biden’s Vax/Test Mandate?
Yesterday, Governor Kathy Hochul announced she would repeal the state’s mask mandate, effective today. However, her announcement did not proactively address how the repeal coincided with the NY HERO Act, which would have required employees in most workplaces to continue masking.
12.17.21 Advocacy Alert: Canada to Again Require Testing for Entry
Today, Canadian officials announced they would be reinstating a requirement that all entrants present proof of a negative COVID-19 test.
The requirement will take effect Tuesday, according to the Buffalo News.
NY’s Tax Climate Again Ranks at National Bottom
Today, the Tax Foundation (an independent tax policy think tank) released its 2022 State Business Tax Climate Index. The report compares all fifty states on various tax policies, then ranks their overall business tax climate. New York ranked below every state except New Jersey.
NY’s rank in the State Business Tax Climate Index
The poor ranking comes as no surprise. New York has oscillated between 48-50 for over ten years. After enacting new tax increases this year, New York dropped from 48th to 49th.