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Protest Held In Brooklyn, Sleep-In Planned Over Rent Regulations Extension

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Wednesday is supposed to be the day New York state lawmakers adjourned their 2015 session, but their failure to reach a compromise on extending New York City's rent regulations is sending them into overtime.

Meanwhile, tenants in rent-controlled apartments say they could end up homeless and plan to sleep on the street outside Gov. Andrew Cuomo's East Side office in a show of protest.

Protest Held In Brooklyn, Sleep-In Planned Over Rent Regulations Extension

As WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported, dozens of tenants intend to show Cuomo what New York City streets could look like if lawmakers go home without a deal.

"We become homeless," said Leroy Johnson.

Johnson lives in a rent-regulated apartment in Flatbush, Brooklyn.

"Gov. Cuomo has to do something about it. We need him to strengthen the rent laws. He can get it done," Johnson said.

A so-called sleep-in is being organized by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, a former state senator who knows how Albany operates, Diamond reported.

"How do you have a whole year, when you know the expiration date, and you allow the expiration date to take place anyway," Adams said. "That is the height of dysfunctionality that needs to stop."

Lawmakers remain far apart on dueling proposals to renew the rent regulations that cover more than 1 million rent-controlled and rent-stabilized units in and around the city.

The law expired Monday at midnight when lawmakers couldn't negotiate a deal to renew the rules.

Assembly Democrats want stronger protections for tenants. Senate Republicans want income verifications to ensure apartment dwellers deserve the benefit.

Adams said the governor can issue an emergency order extending the current regulations until Albany gets its act together.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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