Rochester City Council votes down 'Good Cause Eviction' law - 13WHAM-TV
The Rochester City Council voted down legislation that intended to give tenants protection against evictions.
In a meeting Tuesday, council members voted 6-3 against the "Good Cause Eviction" bill.
Council member Kim Smith's suggestion to table the vote for more discussion was also shut down 6-3.
The vote came after nearly two hours of discussion from landlords, renters and tenant advocates.
Council members that voted "yes" to the legislation included Mary Lupien, Stanley Martin and Kim Smith.
Council members that voted "no" to the legislation included Mitch Gruber, Michael Patterson, LaShay Harris, Jose Peo, Willie Lightfoot and Miguel Melendez.
Earlier this month, city lawyers found the legislation to be "invalid" and said it would contradict New York state law and violate the federal rights of landlords. Similar legislation did pass in the city of Albany where it is currently being fought in court. Several council members cited these legal issues as reasons to vote against the bill.
"We are not making some righteous stand by passing legislation that we know it would not be acted upon. If it were to pass tonight it would do nothing but disappoint people because we know it is not enforceable," said councilman Mitch Gruber.
Councilwoman Stanley Martin said she was disappointed her fellow council members did not offer counter legislation.
"I'm struggling to understand the discrepancy between people running on a platform to provide housing to our community but when they are actually in the seats not taking the opportunity ," said councilwoman Stanley Martin. She called the legal issues "nonsense" and asked her fellow council members to be courageous and fight for tenants.
Despite the "no" vote, several councilmembers agreed the city needs to help tenants and work towards more affordable housing. Mayor Malik Evans said he is committed to the housing quality taskforce and creating long term sustainable housing in the city.
source: https://13wham.com/news/local/rochester-city-council-votes-on-good-cause-eviction-law
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