New York State Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz (D-Bronx) released the following statement regarding the New York Rent Regulation laws that are set to expire at midnight on June 15th:
"I am calling upon my colleagues in the Senate to withhold their votes on gay marriage until New York's Rent Regulation laws – which are set to expire tomorrow – are in place.
Even though my colleagues have made their commitments to vote on gay marriage, I urge them – especially the Black and Hispanic Senators – to be strong and withhold their votes until Governor Cuomo protects the State's housing laws. New York's rent regulation laws protect housing for 2.5 million New York residents – many are poor and needy, and most are Black and Hispanic. Without these laws in place this week many people will be left in crisis situations.
Before Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Budget was passed, I urged my colleagues – especially the Black and Hispanic Senators – to be sure that Governor Cuomo included New York's rent control and rent regulation laws in the Budget. I asked them if Governor Cuomo refused to include it, NOT to vote for the Budget. They decided not to embarrass the Governor who needed our votes and voted for his Budget. Only Senator Tom Duane and I refused to vote for that Budget because it did not have rent regulation laws in place.
Today, I once again call upon my colleagues – especially the Black and Hispanic Senators – to have the courage to learn from that mistake and to force Governor Cuomo to protect rent regulation laws before they give him their votes for gay marriage.
Once the Governor gets the rent regulation laws in place, then the Senate can vote on the gay marriage law. But the top priority in Albany this week should be to first protect the New York’s 2.5 million residents who will suffer tremendously if our housing laws are not extended."
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