Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C-Ballston) spoke at a press conference in the New York State Capitol today to reinforce opposition to ‘good cause eviction’ being included in the final state budget agreement. The press conference was led by Walsh, Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C-Pulaski), Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt (R,C-North Tonawanda) and Sen. Pam Helming (R,C-Finger Lakes).

Good cause eviction laws, which aim to protect tenants from eviction, have been subject to various criticisms from property owners, business owners, chambers of commerce and organizations statewide. Major concerns include curbing property owner rights, deterring housing investment and excessive market interference, echoing sentiments shared by Minority Conference legislators and New Yorkers. Minnesota’s experience with comparable legislation resulted in an 80% decrease in building permits, project delays and job losses.

“Proposals like ‘good cause eviction’ have proven ineffective elsewhere and would have detrimental effects if implemented in our state. Here in New York, we already have robust tenant protections. By prioritizing New York City’s interests, this proposal overlooks the broader needs of our state and fails to adequately address the housing crisis and the rights of property owners. If we really want to see the amount of housing stock increase, we need to give the free market a chance to work, to serve the demand, and to put forward creative solutions. We should be incentivizing new construction in New York to get developers to build new housing, not enforcing rent control for the rest of the state. Good cause eviction is the continuation of the wrong direction. Governor Hochul: don’t make a bad situation worse by passing this law, there is no good in ‘good cause eviction.’”