Lawmakers, Tenants Call For Overhaul Of NYC's Rent Guidelines Board
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- City Council members are calling for lawmakers to pass legislation to overhaul New York City's Rent Guidelines Board.
WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reports
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Saying the Rent Guidelines Board is stacked against renters, politicians and tenants rallied on the steps of City Hall Monday in support of state measure that would give the City Council veto power over the mayor's nominees on the board.
State Sen. Daniel Squadron, who is sponsoring the bill, said that the board's decision in setting rent increases impacts millions of New Yorkers.
"Lets make sure that we've got a broader base of knowledge represented on the Rent Guidelines Board," he said. "It seems to me to be a no-brainer"
1010 WINS' Stan Brooks reports
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Council Speaker Christine Quinn says it would move the board away from being a "kangaroo court."
"Move us away from the days when regardless of what the data shows, regardless of whether landlord income has gone up or down, regardless of whether expenses have gone up or down, regardless of whether the average income of a tenant has gone up or down, rents go up," she said. "Every year."
Sponsors say the change would bring necessary checks and balances to the system and make the appointment process more open.
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