MAYOR DE BLASIO SIGNS LEGISLATION TO BETTER PROMOTE HEALTH, TENANT PROTECTIONS AND FAIRNESS FOR ALL NEW YORKERS

Signs legislation to increases protections for tenants, improve the health of all New Yorkers, cracks down on those who violate construction codes, and help keep seniors in their homes

  Mayor Bill de Blasio today held public hearings for, and signed, two pieces of legislation into law. Intro. 1676 raises the maximum qualifying income for real estate tax exemptions for low-income senior citizen and disabled homeowners; Intro. 1676 raises the maximum qualifying income for real estate tax exemptions for low-income senior citizen and disabled homeowners; Intro. 1677 continues a surcharge on wireless communications service in order to fund for emergency 911 services. The Mayor also held public hearings for 25 other bills, including a package of bills aimed at decreasing smoking, Intro.1131-B, 1471-A, 1532-A, 1544-B, 1547-A, 1585-A, 484-A, a package of bills cracking down on tenant harassment, Intro. 347-B 1530-A,1548-A, 1549-A, 1556-A, Intro. 1133 and a package of bills championed by the Stand for Tenant Safety coalition, Intro. 918-A, 924-A, 926-A, 930-A, 931-B, 936-A, 938-A, 939-A, 940-A, 944-A, 1523-A.

Seniors and disabled individuals often struggle with a higher cost of living. Intro. 1676 will help alleviate that burden by allowing these New Yorkers to benefit from a greatly increased income eligibility threshold for property tax exemptions,” said Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito. “I congratulate Council Member Deutsch on his hard work that made this bill a reality and thank the Mayor for signing this very important bill. Public safety communications networks help keep our city safe by improving the speed and ease of communications between the NYPD, FDNY, and other city agencies. I want to thank Council Member Julissa Ferreras-Copeland for her dedication to making this legislation a reality and the Mayor for signing this bill into law.”

"Today's bill signing is an important step towards easing some of the financial burdens that plague many senior and disabled homeowners. Until now, the Senior Citizen/Disabled Homeowner Exemption only entitled individuals who earned less than $37,400 for a tax benefit. We raised that income limit by $20,000, and now tens of thousands of New Yorkers with an income of $58,400 or less will be able to qualify for a property tax break of up to 50% of their total bill. They will no longer need to make a choice between paying their tax bill and putting food on their table. This is a huge victory for New Yorkers, and I want to thank my colleagues State Senator Diane Savino and Assemblymember Brian Kavanaugh for their leadership on this effort on the state level. I also want to thank Mayor Bill de Blasio for his collaboration and commitment to ensuring the passage of Intro 1676," said Council Member Chaim Deutsch.