As if there is not enough going on in the world, members of the Co-op community are keenly aware that the 32BJ union contract expires on April 20, 2022. The PCCC Executive Board and Counsel have been carefully monitoring these negotiations and have actively engaged the Realty Advisory Board (“RAB”) with some of our thoughts and suggestions.  At this point, the negotiations are in the very early stages and we have been informed that no substantive terms have been negotiated.  It is our understanding that the Union has stated that they lost over 100 workers to Covid and that inflation has had a

The issue of renewable energy is front and center in Queens, NY and the President’s Co-op & Condo Executive has taken a position in support of the so-called “Tier 4 Energy Program”. This program provides for several projects to provide renewable energy to New York City and reduce its’ reliance on fossil fuels. We have been informed that at present, over 90% of New York City’s electric grid is served by fossil fuel.  The proposed Chaplain Hudson Power Express project is now shovel-ready and will provide up to 20% of the electric needs of New York City by using renewable hydroelectric power from

As part of our continuing Friday conversation series regarding critical issues to the Co-op Community, the Executive Committee of the PCCC met virtually last week with Robert Zimmerman, a declared candidate for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District, which spans from Western Suffolk to Eastern Queens, along the North Shore. Mr. Zimmerman provided his background including that he is a principal of a small public relations firm; has been active in politics for several decades; worked as a Congressional aide for Reps. Lester Wolff and James Scheuer – who represented parts of Long Island and Queens and advisor to longtime Rep. Gary

As part of our continuing Friday conversation series regarding critical issues to the Co-op Community, the Executive Committee of the PCCC met virtually last week with Jon Kaiman, a declared candidate for Congress in the 3rd Congressional District, which spans from Western Suffolk to Eastern Queens, along the North Shore.  Mr. Kaiman provided his background including that he is currently the Deputy Suffolk County Executive; he served five (5) terms as the Town Supervisor of North Hempstead; acted as Chairperson of the Nassau Interim Finance Authority and was the Recovery Czar for NY State for Superstorm Sandy. It was an extremely productive conversation

We are pleased to announce that in today’s NY State Senate Hearing the sponsor of the Good Cause Eviction Bill (Senator Julia Salazar) and the Housing Committee Chair ( Senator Brian Kavanaugh) both testified that it is not the intent of the drafters of the bill to include Co-ops.  This stated position excluding Co-ops from this potentially devastating legislation was the direct result of the hard work of the PCCC Executive Members. We were extremely pleased to hear their comments and thank them for clarifying the intent of this statute. The efforts of the PCCC to have the Good Cause Eviction bill corrected to exclude Co-ops have been

As many of you know, the PCCC has been strongly pushing back on the so-called “Good Cause” eviction bill. It has been our position that this legislation was not intended to include Co-ops. The bill in its’ current form does not explicitly state that Co-ops are excluded and we are fighting hard to have this corrected. Please note that tomorrow the New York State Senate Judiciary Committee and Housing Committee will be holding a joint hearing on this bill.  The PCCC has already submitted written testimony requesting the technical correction to exclude Co-ops. In addition, PCCC co-President’s Bob Friedrich and Warren Schreiber and Legal Advisor

The Executive Committee of the PCCC is extremely pleased to provide you with our year-end legislative report. On the heels of our great victory in getting Co-ops included in the Paycheck Protection Program, in 2021 we were very successful getting legislation passed at both the State and City level which is of great benefit to the Co-op Community. In addition, there were several bills that are extremely harmful to the Co-op Community which did not make it out of committee. These are bills that are still in existence and must be closely monitored by the PCCC and other Co-op advocacy groups. Summary: In New York

Please be advised that New York State Governor Kathy Hochul has signed the “Legal Fees” bill into law. This bill (S2014) prohibits Landlords from charging legal fees to tenants for legal services incurred in the management and operation of the property, except if it is court-ordered. The bill as passed does not carve out Co-ops. NY State Senate Bill S2014 (nysenate.gov) The PCCC, along with other Co-op advocacy groups, have been working hard to amend the legislation and carve out Co-ops from this legislation. We have been informed that a chapter amendment will be signed in the next session of the NYS Legislature, which we