Assembly Closes out 2023 Legislative Session

The New York State Assembly officially closed out the 2023 legislative session last Wednesday. 896 bills passed through both houses of the state legislature, with over 600 of them receiving approval in the month of June. The state notably did not come to an agreement on a housing plan. A few notable passages included a bill banning non-compete agreements and the Clean Slate Act.

NYC Council Passes and Introduces Legislation

Last Thursday, the NYC Council convened a Stated meeting, where they passed and introduced multiple pieces of legislation. The Council passed several bills part of the mental health roadmap, including a bill requiring a searchable database of available mental health services in NYC. Legislation was introduced requiring an anti-racism training for employees of human services contractors. The Council also introduced a bill updating the Earned Safe and Sick Time Law, adding a personal time requirement. You can find all of the bills that were passed and introduced here.

Rent Guidelines Board Votes for Increase

The Rent Guidelines Board voted to raise rents for rent-stabilized apartments in NYC. The Board voted 5-4 to raise rents on one-year leases by 3% on two-year leases by 2.75% in the first year and 3.2% in the second year. Mayor Adams thanked the members of the Rent Guidelines Board for striking a balance between protecting tenants from unsustainable increases and ensuring that small property owners have the resources to maintain buildings. This is the second consecutive year that the Board has voted for an increase.

City & State NY’s Power Pride 100

Rose Christ has been named to City & State NY’s Power Pride 100. The list honors 100 New Yorkers engaging in the battle for LGBTQ+ rights. Christ, Co-Chair of New York’s Public Strategies practice, noted her recent client projects of a new art installation in Hudson River Park, the transformation of the Children’s Museum of Manhattan, and a 30% increase in free medically tailored home-delivered meals through God’s Love We Deliver.