Asm. Matthew Slater

Slater expressed concerns about protecting existing small business owners and liquor store employees, asking whether data existed showing the bill would not negatively impact existing retailers.

Expressed dismay over the rejection of $400 million for DOT Core Capital Improvement Projects, noting Region 8 (Hudson Valley) has the worst state road conditions in New York. Criticized CHIPS funding for not keeping pace with rising construction costs (asphalt increased from $78 to $130 per ton in five years). Questioned lack of parameters for the $40 million Resilient Ready program.

Expressed dismay over rejection of $400 million DOT Core Capital Improvement Projects, criticized CHIPS funding not keeping pace with asphalt cost increases (from $78 to $130 per ton over five years), and questioned lack of details on the $40 million Resilient Ready program.

Expressed grave concerns about Good Cause Eviction impact on local control and questioned whether $30,000 IAI reimbursement is sufficient. Cited Brookings Institute study warning rent control decreases long-run affordability and fuels gentrification.

Expressed dismay over rejection of $400 million for DOT Core Capital Plan; noted Hudson Valley has worst State road conditions; criticized CHIPS funding as not keeping pace with construction cost increases (asphalt costs rose from $78 to $130 per ton in five years); questioned lack of details on $40 million Resilient Ready program.

Expressed grave concerns about Good Cause Eviction provisions and local control impacts, questioned whether $30,000 IAI reimbursement is sufficient, and cited Brookings Institute study warning that rent control decreases long-run affordability and fuels gentrification.

Expressed dismay over road funding; noted Hudson Valley has worst State road conditions; criticized Governor's rejection of $400 million DOT Core Capital Plan; questioned whether CHIPS funding keeps pace with rising asphalt costs; criticized $40 million Resilient Ready program lacking details.

Expressed dismay over road funding, noting Region 8 (Hudson Valley) has worst State road conditions; criticized Governor's rejection of $400 million DOT Core Capital Plan; noted asphalt costs increased from $78 to $130 per ton over five years while CHIPS funding remained flat; criticized $40 million Resilient Ready program lacking details.

Slater cited a Wall Street Journal article about regional banks being impacted by restrictive housing laws, arguing that ambiguous legislation like this discourages landlord investment and has negative trickle-down effects on the financial sector.

Argued that restrictive and ambiguous housing laws create trickle-down effects harming regional banks with multi-family housing portfolios, citing a recent Wall Street Journal article about declining bank values.

Questioned whether the bill addresses the housing crisis and approximately 45,000 vacant units in New York City. Expressed concern that rent regulations make it cost-prohibitive for owners to reinvest in units. Argued the bill imposes due process concerns by requiring landlords to disprove fraud rather than requiring tenants to prove it, and questioned whether it encourages investment in vacant units.

Expressed concern that the bill does not encourage investment in the 45,000 vacant units in New York and creates obstacles for property owners seeking to reinvest. Noted that property owners report the system is cost-prohibitive for reinvestment.

The bill's language is nearly identical to absentee voting provisions, effectively codifying the no-excuse measure voters defeated. Cyber security safeguards have not been confirmed with the State and County Boards of Elections, and encryption standards are unclear.

Contended that merging local elections with state/national elections risks diluting local issues and placing unrealistic research burdens on voters. Argued local election autonomy is crucial to preserve focus on distinct local concerns like parks, zoning, and lakes.

Expressed concerns about relying on a DEC website portal to identify affected streams, noting he could not locate it. Cited examples of storm response situations requiring quick action that would be delayed by DEC permitting requirements.