You knew that property tax classifications were not fair or rational, but did you think they were racially discriminatory? A new class action suit filed by Newman Ferrara this week argues that there is a disparate impact on black and Latino tenants in large rental buildings vs. largely white owners of co-ops and single family homes. The papers document the clear inequity of the tax code, but the test will probably be if the courts believe renters are affected by property taxes. The lawyers note that renters are impacted because, on average, 30 percent of rent goes to taxes..
The City Council, Wednesday, expanded the new paid sick leave requirement to any employer of five or more people. The mandate rolls into effect between April and October depending on company size and includes a three year record keeping requirement to prove compliance. Be sure to attend the BuildingsNY seminar at 3 p.m. March 19th on the NYSBA Employee Benefits Marketplace which can help you comply with notices and recordkeeping for this law, ERISA, and Obamacare.
Political leadership in Albany shifted again this week when Democratic Senator Tony Avella switched allegiance to the Independent Democratic Conference that shares power with Senate Republicans. The move seems to ensure the IDC and the Republicans will continue to dominate after the Fall elections…but take political predictions for what they are worth.
Separate services for market and regulated tenants continue to spur controversy. In the latest case this week, Public Advocate Letitia James announced a suit against Stonehenge properties claiming that a new gym built for market rate tenants had to be open to older stabilized tenants in a building as well. As a new service, not provided on the base date, the rent stabilization law would seem to be on the owner’s side, but James is claiming that the policy is somehow unlawful discrimination based on income.
Mayor de Blasio this afternoon appointed Steven Banks, chief attorney at the Legal Aid Society, as commissioner of the Human Resources Administration.
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