Senator Hoylman and Government Colleagues Engage in Civil Disobedience in State Capitol in Support of Strengthening Rent Regulations

Hoylman: “Some things are worth getting arrested over. Saving the rent laws is one of them.”

ALBANY - State Senator Brad Hoylman said: “Yesterday, I got arrested in the Capitol building in an act of civil disobedience to sound the alarm to my colleagues in Albany that it’s urgent we act now to strengthen the rent laws. I have 50,052 rent-regulated apartments in my district – the fifth most in the state --  so the expiration of the rent laws is of tremendous importance to my constituents and me.

“The clock is ticking. Rent laws expire on June 15, leaving us only five session days to act and protect the homes of more than 2 million New Yorkers who depend on rent regulation. But a straight extension of the law isn’t enough. We need to end vacancy decontrol and preferential rents and make Major Capital Improvement (MCI) increases temporary, among other reforms, if we’re going to preserve this vital segment of New York City’s affordable housing stock.

“Some things are worth getting arrested over. Saving the rent laws is one of them. I was proud to be alongside my colleagues for this act of civil disobedience yesterday because Albany needs to wake up and strengthen the rent laws now.”

Senator Hoylman’s act of civil disobedience occurred alongside 55 protesters on the second floor of the Capitol Building with numerous elected officials, including State Senators Adriano Espaillat and Bill Perkins;  Assembly Members Rodneyse Bichotte, Dick Gottfried, Walter Mosley, and Diana Richardson; and NYC Council Members Laurie Cumbo, Corey Johnson, and Jumaane Williams. (see photo attached)

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