The 2023 legislative session will be remembered not only for its accomplishments but also for its shortcomings. State lawmakers fell short in addressing critical issues such as the housing shortage, climate change, and the opioid crisis. With the lackluster session now behind us, all that remains is the signing or vetoing of bills.
Let’s take a look at some of the new measures that will soon be on Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk. One of these measures raises concerns about communities’ ability to combat blight. A recent Supreme Court decision ruled that a Minnesota county could not keep the surplus funds from a property sale and had to return them to the former owner. In response, the Legislature implemented a one-year moratorium on foreclosures of tax-delinquent properties to assess New York’s foreclosure system. However, this approach is misguided. As those familiar with Albany know, reclaiming blighted properties is already a difficult task. The moratorium will only hinder revitalization efforts and impact the work of land banks, which are essential for community development in neglected neighborhoods.
Currently, a legislation proposes that surplus funds from ongoing foreclosure sales be held in a trust account until the moratorium expires. This provision should be extended to all foreclosures, allowing the process to proceed while holding onto the funds until the system can be restructured.
Governor Hochul should veto this legislation in its current form. Moreover, efforts to revamp the foreclosure system should commence immediately. Cities battling blight cannot afford any further obstacles.
On a more positive note, there are other pieces of legislation heading to the governor’s desk that show promise. A wrongful conviction measure will provide justice to individuals who pleaded guilty to crimes they did not commit, addressing the widespread issue of coerced plea deals or inadequate legal advice.
New York can also join eight other states in banning wildlife killing contests, a cruel and ineffective method of species management. This ban will not impact fishing contests or legitimate hunting but will put an end to a bloodsport that disrupts ecosystems.
The Assembly’s final work includes the LLC Transparency Act, which establishes a searchable public database of limited liability company owners, making it harder for shady businesses to hide behind shell structures. Lawmakers also took a step towards cleaner energy by advancing an offshore wind project off Long Island, which will create jobs at the Port of Albany.
These measures, along with others awaiting the governor’s signature, such as the Clean Slate Act and the Birds and Bees Protection Act, are deserving of prompt signing. Doing so will maximize the potential of a session that could have been much more impactful.
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