Res. No. 691-A Title Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to approve, A.2071, in relation to the repeal of the Urstadt Law. BOdy By the Speaker (Council Member Miller) and Council Members Quinn, Katz, Baez, Brewer, Clarke, Comrie, Davis, DeBlasio, Gennaro, Gerson, Jackson, Koppell, Liu, Lopez, Martinez, Monserrate, Nelson, Perkins, Reed, Rivera, Seabrook, Weprin, Moskowitz, Avella, The Public Advocate (Ms. Gotbaum) and Boyland Whereas, The City of New York has approximately 1,065,000 rent stabilized dwelling units and approximately 60,000 rent controlled dwelling units; and Whereas, The "Urstadt Law," enacted by the State Legislature in 1971, diminishes the City's authority over these rent regulated dwelling units by prohibiting the City from enacting any local law that would impose "more stringent or restrictive provisions of regulation and control than those presently in effect;" and Whereas, New York City continues to have an affordable housing crisis; and Whereas, The existence of these rent regulated dwelling units helps to maintain the stock of affordable rental dwelling units in the City; and Whereas, The regulation of these rent stabilized and rent controlled dwelling units is more appropriately a matter of local concern and should be subject exclusively to decisions made by the Mayor and the City Council; and Whereas, The Urstadt Law precludes the Council of the City of New York from strengthening rent regulation laws to provide more comprehensive coverage than provided by the State, thereby depriving the City from exercising home rule over an issue of vital local importance affecting more than 2.5 million people, particularly at a time when rent regulations have been weakened; and Whereas, A.2071 would repeal the Urstadt Law; and Whereas, A.2071 must be enacted to allow New York City once again to have the power to regulate and control residential rents, evictions, the classification of housing accommodations, and the enforcement of relevant local laws; and Whereas, It is in the best interests of the citizens of New York City to repeal the Urstadt Law and to give New York City the ability to better manage its rental housing stock; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to approve, A.2071, in relation to the repeal of the Urstadt Law. LS# 2040 A-version, 03/06/03 TNN