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Bill aims to end housing discrimination in real estate business

Aug
3
2020

If Gov. Andrew Cuomo signs it, legislation that would hold real estate professionals accountable for discriminatory housing practices, authored by State Sen. Jim Gaughran, a Democrat from Northport, will become law. The bill would allow the Department of State to revoke real estate brokers’ and salespersons’ licenses if they are found to be discriminating against customers based on race.

The Senate approved the bill on July 22, 59-1. The only dissenting vote came from Sen. Andrew Lanza, a Republican from Staten Island. State Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre, a Democrat from Wheatley Heights, sponsored the bill in the Assembly, where it passed unanimously on July 24. It will now be sent to Cuomo for his signage.

Gaughran said he wrote the bill...| read more ››

Cuomo signs bill, sparked by Newsday investigation, to fight real estate discrimination

Aug
3
2020

ALBANY — Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed a law Monday, sparked by a Newsday investigation, targeting real estate discrimination by allowing the state to suspend or revoke agents’ licenses.

The state already has authority to suspend a broker’s license for fraudulent practices and other causes. The new law adds another cause: “Violation of the human rights law,” a reference to the state’s anti-discrimination statute.

The real-estate legislation comes following a Newsday special report, “Long Island Divided,” which found evidence of widespread unequal treatment of minority communities and minority homebuyers. Covering three years, the findings included evidence that potential homebuyers were steered to neighborhoods based on race and that agents in some cases required preapproval for mortgages from black customers but...| read more ››

NY implements strict drinking water regulations; providers worried about cost

Jul
30
2020

NEW YORK (WABC) -- New York State public health officials on Thursday implemented stricter drinking water regulations that decrease the acceptable standards for harmful chemicals.

Those chemicals include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), and 1,4-dioxane, which can be found in drinking water.

"Today, New York has prioritized public health and drinking water protections for families, communities, and individuals," said Adrienne Esposito, with Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

PFOAs, PFOSs and 1,4-dioxane are believed to be carcinogens, and repeated exposure may cause developmental effects to fetuses, cancer, and liver and thyroid issues.

Esposito says 1,4 dioxane is found in 80% of cleaning and personal care products, and some water systems in Nassau and Suffolk counties contain levels more than 100...| read more ››

Senate bill could bring public water to the North Shore

Jul
30
2020

A bill to create the North Shore Water Authority passed the State Senate on July 23. It must now pass the Assembly to be put on Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s desk for his signature.

The bill, authored by Sen. Jim Gaughran, a Democrat from Northport, would establish a public water authority that could take over the New York American Water-owned Sea Cliff Water District. That entity would then provide water to Sea Cliff, Glen Head and Glenwood Landing, as well as parts of Glen Cove, Roslyn Harbor and Old Brookville.

NYAW customers in the Sea Cliff Water District pay more for water than any other ratepayers on Long Island. Residents have fought for the establishment of a public water authority for...| read more ››

New York Law Would Revoke Licenses Of Real Estate Agents Who Engage In Discrimination

Jul
28
2020

After a newspaper investigation uncovered widespread race-based discrimination in the Long Island housing market, New York has passed a bill that puts a real estate agent or broker’s license on the line if they are found to engage in discriminatory behavior.

The bill, introduced by James Gaughran, a state senator for the 5th district, which covers the North Shore of Long Island, made its way to Governor Andrew Cuomo, who signed it Aug. 3.

The new law would revoke the license of any real estate broker, agent or salesperson who is found to have violated the state’s human rights law. It stems from a 2019 investigation by Newsday that revealed agents were steering buyers to certain neighborhoods based on...| read more ››

Watchdog: IDAs still plagued with transparency issues

Jul
23
2020

ALBANY — Every year, more than 100 Industrial Development Agencies throughout New York provide assistance to businesses in the form of tax breaks and low-interest bonds, with the stated goal of creating jobs and stimulating economic activity across the state.

But a report released Thursday by New York's Authorities Budget Office found issues with transparency, failures to adhere to reporting requirements and assistance that had been allocated to businesses not traditionally covered by IDA funding.

The ABO was unable to answer one crucial question — how much financial assistance businesses actually received — because several IDAs were not identifying those amounts in project agreements, according to the report. That lack of transparency, the ABO said, "makes it difficult for the...| read more ››

Bill would let state revoke brokers’ licences for discrimination

Jul
23
2020

The state would get the power to suspend or revoke the license of real estate agents under a new bill targeting discriminatory practices.

The Senate approved the bill overwhelmingly Wednesday, 59 votes to 1. The Assembly is expected to pass it today.

The bill was sparked by a 2019 Newsday investigation that revealed widespread race discrimination in Long Island’s housing market, including agents steering buyers to certain neighborhoods based on their race.

The bill’s passage comes as the real estate industry is reckoning with its record on race and diversity, with several brokerage chiefs vowing to implement change.

Currently, the state can suspend or revoke licenses or issue fines for certain infractions, including misleading advertising and fraud. The new bill...| read more ››

Albany nears OK of anti-discrimination bill sparked by Newsday series

Jul
22
2020

ALBANY — New York lawmakers have reached a deal on a new bill, sparked by a Newsday investigation, targeting real estate discrimination by allowing the state to suspend or revoke agents’ licenses.

The state already has the power to suspend a broker’s license for fraudulent practices, misleading advertising and other causes. The new bill would add another cause: “Violation of the human rights law,” a reference to the state’s anti-discrimination statute.

The Senate approved the bill, 59-1, Wednesday. The Assembly expected to follow suit either late Wednesday or Thursday.

The bill was sponsored by two Long Island Democrats, Sen. James Gaughran (D-Northport) and Assemb. Kimberly Jean-Pierre (D-Wheatley Heights).

“This legislation will ensure that real estate agents who violate New York's...| read more ››

Gaughran Bill Giving Utility Commission Power Over LIPA Approved

Jul
22
2020

A bill to give Public Service Commission the power to order LIPA implement management and operations reforms was passed Wednesday by the state Senate.

Sponsored by State Sen. James Gaughran, the bill was previously approved by the state Assembly. Gaughran’s office said, the legislation will authorize the PSC to require LIPA implement reforms made in any audit where fraud, abuse, or mismanagement by a service provider was found. The PSC would be authorized to revoke a service provider’s authority to operate in New York for failure to comply.

Gaughran said, “For too long LIPA has operated as a self-policing runaway authority that answers to Wall Street and its corporate interests instead of the 1.1 million customers who rely on LIPA...| read more ››

Lawmakers Want to Pull Licenses of Real Estate Brokers Who Discriminate

Jul
22
2020

Real estate brokers could have their licenses revoked for discrimination during the home buying process under a measure expected to be approved later today by the state Senate.
The bill backed by Sen. Jim Gaughran would apply the state's Human Rights Law to the real estate industry, which bars housing discrimination.
The measure is being considered in response to a Newsday investigation published last year that found discrimination among realtors when it came to home buying for white clients and people of color.
The story displayed how in many communities -- often suburban towns, cities and villages -- a form of defacto segregation in housing continues.
The measure includes penalties that range of suspending or yanking...| read more ››

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