Field Updates

Governor Hochul Says State Will Not Force LI and Upstate to Shelter Asylum-Seekers
Aug 30, 2023 1 min read
On August 24, Gov. Kathy Hochul said she will not force other parts of the state to shelter asylum-seekers or move migrants against their will.
REALTORS® Meet with NYC Council Member Schulman on Broker Fees Legislation
Aug 30, 2023 1 min read
REALTORS® from LIBOR, along with LIBOR and NYSAR government affairs staff, met with NYC Council Member Lynn Schulman of Queens to discuss legislation ( Int. 1105) that would prohibit the collection of broker fees from a tenant to pay a landlord’s agent.
NYSAR Greenlights Support to Study a NYS Bill to Help First-time Homebuyers
Aug 30, 2023 1 min read
Last week, NYSAR’s Issues Mobilization Committee approved an application to provide funding for an economic impact study and fiscal analysis of NYSAR-supported legislation to create a NYS first-time homebuyer savings account program.
State’s Highest Court to Hear Congressional Redistricting Case that Could Upend the Political Map
Aug 23, 2023 1 min read
Political players of both parties expect New York State to be key to determining who controls the U.S. House of Representatives after 2024.
New NYC Law Could Fine Commercial Landlords Who are Renting to Illegal Smoke Retailers
Aug 23, 2023 1 min read
A law passed by the City Council in June allows City government agencies to fine commercial landlords for knowingly leasing space to unlicensed smoke shops.
Assembly Speaker: A Special Legislative Session Not Expected Before January 2024
Aug 23, 2023 1 min read
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) said last week that he does not expect that a special session will be called before January to take up issues such as casinos or cannabis.
North Hempstead Town Supervisor Race Heats Up Early
Aug 23, 2023 1 min read
In November 2021, North Hempstead Supervisor Jennifer DeSena became the first Republican winner to lead the Town in decades.
Huntington Councilmember Joan Cergol: “Huntington's ADU Proposal is Dead, but Housing Crisis Persists”
Aug 15, 2023 1 min read
A retiring Town Board member wrote an op-ed in Newsday this past weekend in defense of her LIBOR-supported bill to regulate accessory dwelling units in Huntington.
Suffolk County Legislator Kara Hahn Stepping Down from State Parks Position
Aug 15, 2023 1 min read
The Setauket Democrat announced Monday she is stepping down from the County Legislature to take a position as Long Island Deputy Director for the New York State Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation Department.
NYSAR’s NYC Issues Working Group Meets in Lower Manhattan
Aug 15, 2023 1 min read
LIBOR's Government Affairs department and several LIBOR members joined NYSAR’s “NYC Issues Working Group” meeting in Lower Manhattan last week to discuss both local elections and key legislative issues.
Judge Dismisses Airbnb Registration Lawsuit Against NYC
Aug 15, 2023 1 min read
On Tuesday, a State Supreme Court judge dismissed a pair of lawsuits brought by Airbnb against New York City over a new registration law for short-term rentals, known as  Local Law 18.
State Assembly Speaker Heastie Says Gov. Hochul’s Housing Plan Needs Refocusing
Aug 8, 2023 1 min read
Last week while touring Columbia County, State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie discussed Gov. Kathy Hochul’s housing plan, which was rejected by the legislature earlier this year.
Former State Senator Jim Gaughran Announces Run for Congress
Aug 8, 2023 1 min read
On Monday, former State Senator and Suffolk County Legislator James Gaughran announced his run for Congress representing the First District.
Queens Borough President Richards and NYC Councilmember Holden Propose New Bills Targeting ‘Neglected Properties’
Aug 8, 2023 1 min read
Councilman Robert Holden of Middle Village and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. introduced two pieces of legislation last Thursday
White House Announces Updates for Housing Supply and Multifamily Housing
Aug 8, 2023 1 min read
The White House released two announcements last week, outlining  actions to boost the housing supply, and offering guidance for multifamily properties.
New Funding for Nuclear Power Aims to Produce Energy Savings for New Yorkers
Aug 8, 2023 1 min read
Gov. Kathy Hochul said that funding from the federal Inflation Reduction Act will boost nuclear power in New York and help lower the utility bills of millions living in the state.
State Senator Kevin Thomas Announces Run for Congress
Aug 1, 2023 1 min read
On Wednesday, July 26, State Senator Kevin Thomas (D-Nassau)  announced that he is running for Congress in the 4th Congressional District
Special Election for Queens Assembly Seat Announced
Aug 1, 2023 1 min read
Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that a special election will be held on Tuesday, September 12 to fill the vacant 27th Assembly District seat in Central Queens previously held by Democrat Daniel Rosenthal
Governor Hochul Announces Executive Actions on Housing
Jul 25, 2023 1 min read
On Tuesday, July  18, Gov. Kathy Hochul  announced several executive actions to promote housing growth in New York State.
State Utility Regulator Approves $43 Billion in Ratepayer Costs to Support Climate Goals
Jul 25, 2023 1 min read
According to Politico, on Thursday, July 20, the state Public Service Commission authorized an estimated $43.7 billion