NY Assembly Speaker Calls Stronger Rent Laws His Top Priority

Newly elected New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie recently stated that renewing and strengthening New York City rent-regulation laws will be his “No. 1 priority” during his first public appearance with Mayor Bill de Blasio. “When it comes to the issue of affordable housing, he’s going to fight for the people of New York City,” Mayor de Blasio said of Mr. Heastie. “He’s going to see the faces of the families of this city while he’s fighting that fight on behalf of all of us.”

When asked for specifics about what in the rent laws he would strengthen, Heastie said only that he would consult with Assembly Democrats. Heastie was elected to take over the top Assembly job from fellow Democrat Sheldon Silver, who was forced out after getting hit with federal corruption charges. At this politically precarious time in Albany, strengthening rent-regulation laws, which are due to expire on June 15, remains a critical component of the affordable-housing vision Mayor de Blasio outlined in his recent State of the City address.