By Kim Velsey 4/16/12 3:50pm

The Rent

No one's happy about New York City rent

Nobody Likes The Rent Guidelines Board—Quinn, Squadron, Williams Rally, Take to Name Calling

Every year, for the past 41 years, the nine members of the Rent Guidelines Board have gathered to reach a secretive consensus that sets the annual rent increases on rent-regulated apartments at somewhere around 3 percent, a move that without fail earns the ire of tenants and property owners alike.

It is unlikely that the Rent Guidelines Board harbors any illusions about its popularity at this point, but this year looks to bring unprecedented animosity. It’s only April and insults are flying,  months before the board inevitably makes its rage-inducing decision.

“We need to move away from the days of a kangaroo court,” shouted City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who took to the steps of City Hall Monday morning to call for reforms to the hated board. “Regardless of the data… the rents go up!” Read More

By William Alden 6/11/10 9:32pm

Council Bill Asks Congress to Restore ACORN Funding

City Councilman Jumaane Williams has a message for the federal government.

Last week, the Brooklyn Democrat introduced a resolution in the Council that calls on Congress to restore federal funding to ACORN, the beleaguered housing advocacy group that shuttered most of its organization after the House passed a resolution blocking federal funds last year.

Williams Read More

By Azi Paybarah 9/16/09 3:25pm

In Brooklyn, Williams Simply Overwhelms Stewart

If you wanted to talk to Jumaane Williams yesterday afternoon, you had to risk getting trampled by students and parents near P.S. 269 on Nostrand Avenue.

The school had just let out and Williams stood near the school entrance, offering his palm card to anyone passing by. Many people already had their hands Read More

By Azi Paybarah 9/02/09 4:50pm

Thompson Gets Support From Stewart, But Not on Term Limits

Bill Thompson, who has made his opposition to Michael Bloomberg’s extension of term limits a major campaign theme, was endorsed today by one of the City Council members who voted for it.

That member, City Councilman Kendall Stewart, said it was a “mistake” for Thompson to campaign on that theme.

Stewart was speaking to reporters Read More

By Azi Paybarah 6/24/09 5:15pm

Stewart’s Opponent Calls for His Resignation

One of Kendall Stewart’s opponents, Jumaane Williams, called on him to resign from office, now that two of his staffers are reportedly set to plead guilty to embezzling $145,000 in public money.

Williams also said during a recent debate that Stewart “said his chief of staff wasn’t involved.” Williams said the debate was hosted Read More

By Azi Paybarah 6/24/09 5:06pm

Stewart’s Opponent Calls for His Resignation

One of Kendall Stewart’s opponents, Jumaane Williams, called on him to resign from office, now that two of his staffers are reportedly set to plead guilty to embezzling $145,000 in public money.
Williams also said during a recent debate that Stewart “said his chief of staff wasn’t involved.” Williams said the debate was hosted Read More