S1462

The New York State Senate passed legislation Tuesday creating a housing rebate program for Battery Park City residents, with the measure clearing on a 38-22 party-line vote. Senate Print 1462, sponsored by Sen. Kavanagh, freezes ground rent increases for homeowners and renters earning up to 150 percent of area median income in the Lower Manhattan development. Supporters argued the program protects middle-class residents—teachers, firefighters, and others earning around $140,000—at minimal cost to the state, estimating annual expenses of $500,000 to $1 million. All surplus Battery Park City Authority revenue flows to New York City, they noted, creating no burden on state taxpayers. Republicans opposed the measure, with Sen. Martins arguing it inappropriately subsidizes affluent Manhattan residents while ignoring genuine housing affordability crises in lower-income areas statewide. Battery Park City's median household income of $228,000 far exceeds struggling communities like the Bronx ($50,000), Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse, Martins said. Sen. Helming voted no, expressing frustration that her comprehensive statewide housing affordability package addressing first-time homebuyers and property tax relief has languished in committee. An amendment proposing sweeping personal income tax cuts was ruled out of order before the vote.

The Senate passed S1462, sponsored by Senator Kavanagh, which amends the Public Authorities Law. The bill received 40 votes in favor and 21 opposed in a roll call vote. The measure takes effect immediately. Twenty-one senators voted against the bill, including Ashby, Borrello, Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick, Chan, Gallivan, Griffo, Helming, Lanza, Mattera, Murray, Oberacker, O'Mara, Ortt, Palumbo, Rhoads, Rolison, Stec, Tedisco, Walczyk, Weber and Weik. No floor debate was recorded prior to the vote.