Spitzer’s Republican Love Fest
August 29, 2007 at 5:39 pm by Rick Karlin
Well not exactly a love fest, but some Assembly Republicans, in contrast with their Senate counterparts who are basically at war with the governor over Troopergate, are actually offering (faint) praise for Eliot Spitzer in the wake of his statements this morning that he agreed a property tax cap was at least worth discussing.
(That’s as opposed to last year when Spitzer said a cap would impinge on local control over school spending).
A few hours after Spitzer’s thoughts on a tax cap appeared in print, Republicans gave a collective cheer.”I am happy to see that Gov. Spitzer is willing to discuss this critical issue,” said Assembly Minority Leader Jim Tedisco, R-Schenectady, who also urged Spitzer to adopt a bill proposed by his conference which would limit the amount school districts can raise their tax levies to 4 percent or the inflation rate.
Also weighing in was newly elected Assemblyman George Amedore of Rotterdam, who also called on Spitzer to support the “Property Taxpayers Protection Act,” and Assemblyman Greg Ball, R-Carmel, who said he ”applauded” the governor’s thoughts on property taxes.
Filed under: albany code enforcement, albany property management, albany property tickets, albany selective enforcement, database justice, Uncategorized
The problem: housing stock sits vacant for years with glaring code violations. As soon as an investor steps forward to invest time and energy into bringing the property back to use, he becomes the target of housing and code violation. Every investor, real estate agent, bears the threat of selective enforcement and triggering “black letter” law from the authorities. It is rumored that in this fiscal crisis, the City is balancing its budget on the skewing of the Code, that is the screwing of the anyone who can pay.
Forget the moral point of view; What about the idea of social policy. Why should investers bear the extra regulatory burden, when it is they who put the necessary managment and capital into redeveopment and forstall the social problems of urban decay?
The solution: First off any solution or even a discussion is better than the Status Quo. We as an organization “reach out” to those in authority to mitigate this problem.
1] All involved have a right to know the enforcement directives of the local building code.
2]THE SOLUTION: BECOME A PUBLIC WITNESS AT http://www.databasejustice.com
There is an old adage that goes something like this: You can be violent, you can be a victim, or you can bear witness. Our solution is simple, we ask that the residents to become witnesses and make statements (anonymously if need be), as to how the law is being enforced. For example, if you notice unregistered vehicles on the property of someone who is politically connected, but who is not ticketed, we’ll add your observations to our database. With enough witnesses we may protect ourselves from political abuses.
3] Building Depts. gets their authority from the DOS. I’ve talked to the Dept. of State and they will back us up. [see Dos rules of a building dept. ]
4] Monitor the revenue from tickets. Tickets have to be issued for public safety only, if they are tied to building revenue it is a impermissible , unconstitutional policy
The Govt is increasingly walking away from the resp0nsibility of providing housing in Albany. The new model is to have owners and investors rehabilitate large sections of the City.
