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ALBANY – The rent law dispute in New York was brutal on Tuesday, as hundreds of tenant activists flooded the state's capital, causing fights and dozens of arrests.
For months, activists have been rewriting the New York rent laws imminently in an unprecedented battle.
The state law that regulates nearly a million apartments with stable rent expires on June 15th. Democrats controlling the Legislature only for the third time in more than half a century, progressive lawmakers advocate tenant-friendly provisions.
The militants, dressed in assorted red T-shirts, piled up the stairs, cluttered the corridors and blocked the entrances to the governor's office and legislative chambers.
Some hit the glass doors of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo's office while the state soldiers stood guard; others have tied their guns and refused to allow lobbyists and staff members to visit the Senate and Assembly chambers.
"The nine bills," they shouted, their songs echoing into the building.
They referred to nine tenant-friendly bills – collectively known as "universal rent control" – which were vigorously claimed by a coalition at the state level for months.
"It's something that's so huge, that's why you see so many people here and so militant," said 80-year-old Jeanie Dubnau, a member of the Riverside Edgecombe Neighborhood Association in Washington Heights.
There were several concussions. At one point, a group of men attempting to break into the Senate chambers leaned over the shoulders of a group of activists who were blocking the entrance, trying to get away from it all. open doors while activists strove to keep them closed.
Near the Assembly, soldiers and militants pushed each other as the soldiers tried to cross the crowd.
In all, 61 people were arrested and charged with disorderly behavior. Among them was Jumaane Williams, the New York City Public Attorney and former Tenant Organizer.
Two of those arrested were also charged with assaulting the third degree for hitting the sergeant 's weapon of assembly, according to a spokesman for state soldiers.
Assembly leaders said they support eight bills. Senate leaders had remained largely until Tuesday, when they issued a statement almost immediately after the end of the protests.
"After a long discussion in the majority Senate conference, it is clear that we have the support of the nine priority housing bills," said Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Senate Leader by Majority . "We must use this time to work with our partners to put in place the strongest housing protections in the history of the state."
But activists said they remained worried that the bills would be diluted. They particularly criticized Mr. Cuomo, who has received millions of dollars in political contributions from the real estate sector and recently stated that he did not support some of the proposed measures.
The demonstrators, lined up on the central staircase of the Capitol, threw counterfeit $ 100 bills on which were carved the faces of Mr. Cuomo and several personalities of the real estate sector.
Mr. Cuomo has spent the past few days attacking the Senate, accusing him of boasting progressive rhetoric but not delivering. On Tuesday, shortly after Mrs. Stewart-Cousins issued her statement, the governor's office fought back.
"You know that a legislative body votes for a bill when it passes the bill," said Rich Azzopardi, senior adviser to Mr. Cuomo. "If the Senate has votes, it should pass the bills today."
The activists rightly called this, urging Mrs. Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Leader Carl E. Heastie to exclude Mr. Cuomo from the negotiations and to hand over their own rent packages.
They reiterated this call Tuesday, distinguishing legislative leaders in a marked escalation of their previous rhetoric. families.
Supporters argue for the elimination of two provisions allowing homeowners to increase rents when they make improvements to a building or renovate apartments – arguing that these tactics are commonly used to increase rents, evict tenants and deregulate units.
But Cuomo, along with Mayor Bill de Blasio, warned that removing these provisions would deter property owners from investing in buildings, echoing similar arguments put forward by the real estate lobby. Both said they are in favor of changing the provisions instead.
Despite the uncertain fate of some proposals, lawmakers are on the cusp of adopting many of the defenders that were unimaginable when the Senate was controlled by Republicans, who have traditionally joined the real estate lobby.
When the rent settlement last expired in 2015, Republicans have resisted the elimination of the so-called vacant housing control system, which still allows for the deregulation of an apartment when it is closed. he becomes vacant and his rent exceeds a certain threshold.
Critics have called for its elimination as it has resulted in the deregulation of more than 155,000 units since 1994.
This time, there was almost unanimous agreement – even in the real estate sector – that the notorious disposition would be removed.
Several hours after the arrival of the protesters, most of them had evacuated.
A group of a dozen people sat in front of the governor's office, chatting softly and raising their voices to sing when people passed by.
At one point, soldiers appeared in the stairwell.
"Do you want to stop us already?", Called a protester.
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