URGENT
Governor Paterson has until midnight to sign or veto the Loft Law. His staff reports that no decision has been made on whether to sign or veto, and the administration of Mayor Mike Bloombucks has issued a formal memo asking for a veto.
Call, fax or email the Governor. Urge him to sign this bill!
Call, fax or email the Governor. Urge him to sign this bill!
A5667-C expands coverage of the Loft Law to protect tenants who moved into illegal loft dwellings in recent years (the current law protects only tenants who have lived in their lofts for 30 years or longer). The bill also makes the Loft Law permanent.
The Loft Law gives rent and eviction protections to tenants who are otherwise uncovered by the rent laws. These are units in manufacturing or commercial buildings that are not zoned for residential use – but many landlords have nevertheless rented them to people who are desperate for a place to live. The Loft Law provides a mechanism for these buildings to be legalized – brought up to fire and safety codes – while preventing the landlords from evicting the tenants. Once the building is legalized, the apartments go into rent stabilization.
As strange as it may seem, Governor David Paterson, known as a pro-tenant legislator during his years in the Senate, is still threatening a veto of the 2010 Loft Law. He has to act today – by midnight.
As strange as it may seem, Governor David Paterson, known as a pro-tenant legislator during his years in the Senate, is still threatening a veto of the 2010 Loft Law. He has to act today – by midnight.
New York City is still protesting the areas that are covered, the number of units required, and other points. The loft tenants’ position is that the Governor should sign the bill and let the Loft Board sort things out. The City had years to address this situation and failed to do so.
Ask Governor Paterson to do the right thing and sign the 2010 Loft Law.
There are three ways to get your message to the Governor.
TELEPHONE: Call the Governor's office at 518-474-8390. This phone number sometimes has an interminable wait time.
TELEPHONE: Call the Governor's office at 518-474-8390. This phone number sometimes has an interminable wait time.
FAX: You can also dash off a quick letter and fax it to Governor Paterson’s Counsel’s Office. The fax number is 518-486-1921.
EMAIL: E-mail the Governor by visiting - www.state.ny.us/governor - this will take you to the Governor's home page and in the navigation on the left side of the homepage there's a link to "contact" and from there another link to "e-mail the governor."
SIGN A5667-C, THE 2010 LOFT LAW!
Michael McKee
Executive Director
Housing Here and Now
