X-FACTOR

rector of policy and communications for the Release Aging People in Prison campaign. Two parole reform bills her coalition supports – elder parole as well as a bill that would strengthen the reporting requirements around when parole is denied – did not pass this year, but Taylor said she expects victories next year with a new and perhaps more supportive governor in office.

Also left over from last year is the Clean Slate Act, which would seal the records of over 2 million people with criminal records, for both felonies and misdemeanors, after a set number of years following the end of their sentences. It came very close to passing at the end of the session this year, but ultimately never came to a vote. Bill sponsor Assembly Member Catalina Cruz of Queens said that support hasn’t wavered since then and plans to prioritize the legislation early next year. “If you have committed a crime and paid your dues to society, there is absolutely no reason why you should not be able to have gainful employment and to have a stable home,” Cruz said.

And far from backing off after a painful election cycle, criminal justice reform advocates are introducing a new campaign for 2022 to enact sentencing reform, including the elimination of mandatory minimum sentences. “Sentencing reforms are one of the front-end methods to decarcerate our prisons,” said Marvin Mayfield, statewide organizer at Center for Community Alternatives. Along with eliminating mandatory minimums, other new legislation seeks to permit incarcerated people to apply for resentencing hearings after 10 years, and expand laws that offer reduced sentences for good behavior. Although activists acknowledge that the many issues they’re looking to address may take more than one year to get done, they remained confident that recent election results and fears over crime won’t be major impediments with continued support among lawmakers and members of communities impacted by overcriminalization. “I think we’d have to be blind not to see there’s still a hotbed of activity surrounding bail reform,” Mayfield said. “Does this mean that the mood is turning against criminal justice reform? Some people would venture to say that it is, but I think not.” ■ – With reporting by Zach Williams

Fossil fuel fight

Several new bills will test how aggressive state lawmakers want to be in addressing climate change next year.

By Zach Williams

NEW YORK HAS a ways to go when it comes to reaching the goals established in the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. Just 5% of the electricity in the state currently comes from wind and solar. New York will have to do more than that to meet the legal requirement to have 100% renewable energy by 2040 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions statewide by 85%, compared to 1990 levels, in the subsequent decade. According to a recent report by the New York Public Interest Research Group, the state needs to promote more conservation, more renewable energy and fewer emissions. Political will appears to be a big variable in finding solutions. “We are at a really critical juncture when it comes to meeting the state’s climate goals,” Liz Moran, New York policy advocate at Earthjustice, said in an interview. Recent disasters show how deadly – and expensive – a warming planet has already become.

Experts empaneled by the CLCPA are expected to release draft plans in the coming weeks that will detail specific steps the state can take to achieve its energy goals. Gov. Kathy Hochul has suggested that her budget for the fiscal year that begins April 1 will include a focus on confronting climate change. State lawmakers meanwhile are getting ready for a 2022 legislative session that could have a big effect on the speed with which the state weans itself off fossil fuels. Albany Democrats are generally of one mind when it comes to expanding renewable energy and promoting conservation, in principle at least, but things get complicated when it comes to eliminating greenhouse gas emissions. A growing group of left-leaning legislators want to block the use of fossil fuels in a variety of ways, which has already led to some friction between colleagues urging a more gradual approach.

“This is a 911 emergency,” state Sen. James Sanders Jr. of Queens said in an interview. “We have to move on and say: ‘No more new fossil fuel infrastructure.’” A bill he is sponsoring aims to block the construction of future gas pipelines, power plants and storage facilities, with some exceptions for things like gas stations. Other bills directly target new sources of emissions, including proposals to ban natural gas power plants, eliminate energy subsidies and crack down on energy-intensive cryptocurrency mining at previously shuttered power plants. Such proposals are complicated in their details. The subsidy bill, for example, involves a complicated web of existing state taxes

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Climate activists blocked traffic in front of the governor’s New York City office last month.

and economic development programs. Yet, they all reflect a sharpening focus by progressives on ridding New York of fossil fuels. “These things fit together as part of a larger climate platform that we really have to pass in order to be taken seriously as one of the leading states in the country with regard to fighting the climate crisis,” Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani of Queens said in an interview. That includes outstanding legislation that aims to give the New York Power Authority a leading role in building renewable energy projects, as well as a proposal to raise billions in revenue through a carbon tax.

Not all Democrats, however, agree with the idea of eliminating fossil fuels in the short term. Some of them say the state needs gas-burning peaker plants that power up when energy demand spikes during hot and cold days alike, especially considering how old hydroelectric plants account for the vast majority of renewable energy currently generated in New York state. Natural gas – or methane – is far from perfect. It is a more powerful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. So some legislators say it is better than coal or petroleum at meeting current and projected demand. “There is nothing about the state energy plan that requires us never to use another molecule of gas,” state Sen. Kevin Parker of Brooklyn, who chairs the Committee on Energy and Telecommunications, said in an interview. “We don’t want to limit the use of fossil fuels too fast before we get proper implementation and the ability to bring online new technologies and new infrastructure to actually generate energy.”

Climate is similar to police reform and health care in at least one critical way. They all show how the speed and scope of progressive reforms can divide Democrats as much as specific policy details. However, the political lines sometimes get blurred in a state Capitol where traditional liberals are de facto moderates. Progressive activists like the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America have backed primary challengers against Parker (and other lawmakers). This is because of campaign donations from fossil fuel interests and their supposed lack of action on key climate bills even though Parker is the sponsor of the Climate and Community Investment Act, which would impose a tax on carbon polluters, that is championed by the political left. State Sen. Todd Kaminsky of Long Island, who chairs the Environmental Conservation Committee, and environmentalists have partnered on a litany of legislative efforts including the CLCPA, which he sponsored, even while having differences on the proposed carbon tax. Kaminsky, Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee Chair Steve Englebright and Assembly Energy Committee Chair Michael Cusick could not be reached for comment by publication time.

Recent actions by the Hochul administration to deny permits to two proposed natural gas power projects suggest that it could take a hard line on allowing new fossil fuel infrastructure. But key decisions remain on other projects like a proposed cryptocurrency mining operation in Yates County upstate that is awaiting approval by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Democrats in both chambers of the state Legislature will meet in the coming weeks to discuss their legislative agendas for the legislative session and the budget negotiations. Some of them will be pushing for their chambers to take a more aggressive approach to climate change. Others will likely argue that their own efforts are more practical and wise given the potential economic costs to the state and Republican rhetoric about how Democrats’ efforts will supposedly cost New Yorkers at the gas pump.

While moderates tend to emphasize practicality, progressives are not ceding that point on climate. The legislation sponsored by Sanders and Assembly Member

KARLA ANN COTE/NURPHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK KARLA ANN COTE/NURPHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK Robert Carroll of Brooklyn would ban new fossil fuel infrastructure, with some exemptions, while declaring a “climate emergency” for rhetorical effect. Like other bills on the political agenda, its passage would spur the state to move quicker in meeting the goals established in the CLCPA by blocking new fossil fuel projects. It would also send a message far beyond the Empire State, progressive legislators say. “(It will be) a shot across the bow to these large energy producers that no longer are we going to have debates about permitting new plants or building new pipelines across our state,” Carroll said in an interview. “This is a real enormous issue, and if we don’t treat it with the enormity of it, we’re never going to meet those (climate) goals.” ■

Good cause eviction is coming in hot

After a string of upstate wins, will housing advocates get statewide renter protections passed next year?

By Rebecca C. Lewis

AFTER EFFORTS TO get legislation passed to limit when a landlord can evict tenants and raise rents failed to move in Albany earlier this year, housing advocates went local. Over the summer, they began organizing to pass so-called good cause eviction bills in upstate cities, aiming to enact municipal protections as the statewide fight continued. In a few short months, advocates saw success – four cities, including Albany and Poughkeepsie, enacted good cause eviction laws. “It’s been surprising in some ways how quickly these local good cause campaigns have moved,” said Brahvan Ranga, a political organizer with the housing group For the Many, which helped mobilize those upstate campaigns.

That local success has given the statewide push for new tenant protections fresh momentum. The fight for good cause laws represents a fairly unique situation with municipal movements paving the way for potential statewide action. And advocates and some lawmakers alike feel confident that 2022 will be the year for landmark housing reforms.

Good cause eviction is a key goal of the Housing Justice for All coalition, a group of tenant advocates working to enact new protections for renters. After victories in 2019 with new rent laws, the coalition now looks to 2022, with a brand new governor after nearly two years of a pandemic, to address other key items that haven’t moved. “Kathy Hochul is someone who has already shown that she’s a lot more willing to govern collaboratively with the other arms of government,” said Cea Weaver, the campaign coordinator for Housing Justice for All. “I think that that means that there’s a path.”

Advocates held rallies across the state last month to announce their agenda, which in addition to good cause eviction includes the repeal of a controversial tax break for developers, expanding a program that would help convert vacant commercial properties into housing and passing a voucher program to help New Yorkers pay for rent. They were joined by around a dozen state lawmakers in New York City, Rochester, Albany and Buffalo, who called on Hochul and legislative leaders to prioritize the agenda. “Evictions are violence,” Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani of Queens said at the Manhattan rally. “A 50% rent increase is slow-moving violence.”

Under a good cause proposal introduced by state Sen. Julia Salazar of Brook-

Good cause eviction protections are a top priority for housing advocates next year in Albany.

lyn and Assembly Member Pamela Hunter of Syracuse, tenants would have the right to an automatic lease renewal in most cases, and landlords could only evict in certain circumstances like failure to pay rent, violating the lease or causing a nuisance. The biggest sticking point for members of the real estate industry, who have lobbied against the bill, is its prohibition of steep rent increases. That’s defined as a 3% increase, or 1.5% of the consumer price index, whichever is more, with the exception of major market changes or renovation work that would justify higher increases. In effect, it would enact something of a rent regulation on nonregulated apartments, offering tenants an affirmative defense in housing court against eviction.

Buoyed by the local successes, lawmakers and housing advocates expressed confidence that good cause eviction will make it through the state Legislature this year. Those victories have taken place in upstate communities that were often excluded from debates around tenant rights. For advocates, they offer proof that housing reforms are not just a New York City issue and are popular throughout the state. “I’ve seen even in the time that we’ve been seeing these local versions passed ... that state legislators who represent these areas … they have been moved, publicly or otherwise, to support the cause when they previously were on the fence or resistant to it,” Salazar said of laws passed in upstate cities. Her bill currently has 21 co-sponsors in the state Senate – not quite enough to pass it yet and one fewer than in 2020, but much has changed since June.

The 2022 session also begins after nearly two years of pandemic hardships have left many New Yorkers struggling to keep a roof over their heads. The timing perhaps offers fuel for efforts to repeal the 421-a tax break, which incentivizes wealthy developers to include affordable units in their projects. “We saw that wealthy corporations continued to make a profit, and that was true for the wealthiest developers and private equity landlords,” Rebecca Garrard, legislative director at Citizen Action of New York, said of stark economic disparities made apparent during the pandemic. “So knowing that heading into this year, it is imperative that we adjust our fiscal investments … so that we don’t repeat the same cycle.” Garrard asserted that providing tax breaks to build mostly market-rate or luxury apartments has done little to address the housing crisis that exists for low- and middle-income New Yorkers, while members of the real estate industry point to data that shows a significant chunk of below-market-rate housing in New York City has been the result of the 421-a program in recent years.

These contentious housing goals won’t be won by housing advocates easily as the strong and influential real estate lobby is expected to fight against both good cause and a repeal of 421-a. “The data show that New York City is failing to produce enough housing, particularly at below-market rents, to keep up with its population growth,” said James Whelan, president of the Real Estate Board of New York, in a statement. “State leaders need to decide whether they will take steps to increase the supply of housing, including new units at below-market rents, over the coming years or make the city’s housing crisis even worse.”

Ranga, of For the Many, said local real estate interests fought against the passage of good cause eviction bills in the cities where

SPENCER GALLOP/LEGAL AID SOCIETYSPENCER GALLOP/LEGAL AID SOCIETY it has so far passed. “We expect them to mobilize. We expect them to leverage their financial influence to influence politicians. We expect them to use their social connections to influence politicians,” Ranga said. “We expect them to show up to hearings and meetings and other public spaces to influence the state Legislature.” Reactions to last month’s rallies already previewed the fight ahead for housing advocates. “‘Good cause eviction’ is just politically-filtered language for ‘lease for life’ and ‘permanent tenancies,’” Joseph Strasburg, president of the Rent Stabilization Association, said in a statement at the time. “Good cause eviction – permanent tenancies – would be a death knell for local economies and affordable housing in New York City and across the state.”

Industry opposition is not the only hurdle standing in the way. Although gubernatorial candidate and state Attorney General Letitia James has expressed her support, Hochul has so far declined to give a position. Salazar said she expects negotiations, as few major bills pass unchanged, but made clear that she would not accept significant changes like limiting the law to downstate. And with legislative leadership largely silent on the issue, a tough battle is likely still in store for lawmakers and housing advocates. “In terms of leadership, they know it’s a top priority for me,” Salazar said, adding that she’ll lobby leadership ahead of the session to make it a top priority of theirs as well. “And I am hopeful and encouraged that they will be receptive to that.” ■

Q&A WITH CARLO SCISSURA

ON THE FUTURE OF NEW YORK

What led you to the Building Congress? Between the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office and the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce I spent 10 years really doing some great work in Brooklyn, and I was ready to take my talent and my ideas and lead a citywide and statewide organization. I just thought the moment was right at the Building Congress—they were ready for new leadership, the president of two-plus decades was retiring, and I just thought it was the right time for both me and the organization, and it’s been phenomenal. What has been your goal in leading this organization? Running a membership organization is fundamentally about membership—so increasing membership, increasing the diversity of both the members and the industries that they come from, and then growing the presence outside of Manhattan. And I think we have proven that we’re not just a five borough organization that represents the City of New York, but we are really growing into an organization that represents the entire state, and I think that is very exciting. So growth in membership and diversity, and then increased advocacy—really having a presence in Washington DC and Albany, really being able to support our members in what they are doing on the national level and the state level, and really being a part of transforming the industry into something that is really unique and innovative. How would you describe the last year and a half for the building industry? Like every other industry it was hit hard by Covid, but it’s an industry that kept working during Covid. The men and women—especially in labor—they were still doing the transportation construction, and they were still fixing roads and bridges and tunnels and working on water mains and things of that nature. So building infrastructure did not stop. Essential construction was not put on hold, and I think it’s a testament to the tenacity of the industry that we kept working. I think that was exciting. Challenging, of course, getting people back to work, getting construction restarted. We worked hard with other industry groups to ensure that construction was part of the first phase of reopening, which was very important for our members and the industry, and now we are ready to move forward. Every time there has been a crisis it’s been our industry that has gotten us through, and I think that’s important. It’s our industry that built the hospitals—the temporary hospitals—and that helped rebuild the city post pandemic, during the pandemic, and we have been doing that for decades—for a century—so it’s just an exciting moment. What was the industry’s response to COVID-19? Our members had to build temporary hospitals. Our members are going to be building new office buildings to really jumpstart the post-pandemic era. Our members are building open spaces, parks, so I think it’s an industry that adapts quickly to what the needs of the city and its residents are, and it’s an industry that

en the Brooklyn Borough President’s

can jump in and make things happen quickly—and that’s something that we are lead a citywide and statewide organization. very proud of. I just thought the moment was right at the Building Congress—they were ready for What are the biggest priorities for New York City going into 2022? decades was retiring, and I just thought it was the right time for both me and the We want to see the infrastructure bill passed in Washington and then we want to help the governor and the mayor and What has been your goal in leading this organization? Sen. Schumer figure out and understand where the money needs to go. So the priority is getting the bill passed, and spending money on incredible projects fundamentally about membership—so across the city and the state and the increasing membership, increasing the region, starting with Gateway tunnels, a diversity of both the members and the rebuilt Penn Station, a new Port Authority bus terminal—and then other projects that then growing the presence outside of aren’t in the pipeline yet. I’d love to see a Manhattan. And I think we have proven that new bridge connecting Staten Island to we’re not just a five borough organization New Jersey, the Outerbridge has seen its that represents the City of New York, but best days—so we need to replace that. We need to figure out the second phase of the that represents the entire state, and I Second Avenue subway, but also phases 3 think that is very exciting. So growth and 4. We need to expand subway service in membership and diversity, and then into Queens and Brooklyn and, of course, rebuilding NYCHA. I’m really focusing on presence in Washington DC and Albany, understanding the needs of NYCHA and really being able to support our members affordable housing and being a leader in what they are doing on the national in technology and innovation that can level and the state level, and really being get buildings done quicker. So we have a part of transforming the industry into a busy year of advocacy ahead of us—of bringing people together—and a busy year innovative. of ensuring that the federal funds come to New York and really will make a move, so How would you describe the last year and we’re excited. a half for the building industry? very other industry it was hit hard What do city and state governments need to do next year to spur our recovery?

working during Covid. The men and and they were still fixing roads and bridges infrastructure did not stop. Essential the industry that we kept working. I think with other industry groups to ensure that of reopening, which was very important now we are ready to move forward. Every industry that has gotten us through, and

hospitals—and that helped rebuild the city we have been doing that for decades—for a century—so it’s just an exciting moment. What was the industry’s response to r members had to build temporary hospitals. Our members are going to be building new office buildings to really jumpstart the post-pandemic era. Our so I think it’s an industry that adapts its residents are, and it’s an industry that quickly—and that’s something that we are where the money needs to go. So the priority is getting the bill passed, and spending money on incredible projects across the city and the state and the bus terminal—and then other projects that new bridge connecting Staten Island to New Jersey, the Outerbridge has seen its need to figure out the second phase of the Second Avenue subway, but also phases 3 and 4. We need to expand subway service into Queens and Brooklyn and, of course, rebuilding NYCHA. I’m really focusing on a busy year of advocacy ahead of us—of of ensuring that the federal funds come to New York and really will make a move, so

COURTESY OF THE NEW YORK BUILDING CONGRESS

The two pieces of legislation that are sitting around in Washington and being worked on, have to be done. The infrastructure bill is the most critical piece of the puzzle for the industry and New York—that must happen immediately. The second piece of the bill is also important because it addresses climate issues, it enables pre-K across the country, which means more building of schools for our members. The federal government is finally ready to invest in infrastructure in a way it hasn’t done probably in 60 years, so for us that is the number one priority. How do you think the Adams administration will address that? Eric Adams will be, in my opinion, one of the best mayors we’ve ever had. I think he’s very focused on safety, on quality of life, and on economic recovery—and when you bring those three things together you’ve got an administration that really understands the needs of the future. So I’m excited to work with Eric and the team he has put together. I’m excited that the tone towards the building community and the real estate community and the development community will be much better and much more positive and much more inclusive. And I think his focus on safety and quality of life is going to allow people in our industry to continue to build and do great things. So we’re on to some good times ahead. Any predictions for the 2022 state and federal elections? I’ve got a lot of friends running for governor, so I’m just going to say that we will have a great governor no matter what happens in the elections. But I have to give the current governor, Kathy Hochul, a lot of credit for picking up quickly at the end of August and really understanding that economic development and building needs to continue. I think she has moved quickly on that. After Gateway, what is the next big infrastructure that we should start working on? I think Gateway obviously is going to finally move forward. I think we have to all sit down and reimagine the BrooklynQueens Expressway, which really starts at the Verrazano Bridge and ends at the Triboro Bridge—the Robert Kennedy Bridge. I really believe that rebuilding, reimagining the BQE in a way that addresses climate change, resiliency and bringing communities back together is critical. So that is something that I can tell you we will focus on heavily. A new Port Authority bus terminal—very critical. A rebuilt and renovated Penn Station—very critical. Second Avenue subway, phases 2 and 3—very critical. Mass transit to Laguardia Airport is very critical, and that would expand mass transit options into the heart of Queens. Finally, figuring out transportation into Red Hook and some parts of Southern Brooklyn that are transit deserts—I think that is important. We have a lot of things on our plate that can happen and again, as I said earlier, rebuilding NYCHA. If we don’t get that done, we as a society will have failed, so I believe rebuilding NYCHA is really critical as well. What is the biggest roadblock to getting all of this done? It is always the same two things: You need the money to build it, and then it’s really the willingness of people at all levels of government to come together and move things forward for the greater good. And I think that’s where an organization like the Building Congress plays a critical role—in bringing people together and helping to put aside politics or any personal items that are going on and just say, “Listen, this is what is best for New York, this is what is best for the region and state, and for the people of our city, and how are we engaging and getting things done for New York City?” I think that is one of the biggest roles we will play moving forward. Why do you love New York? It’s funny—I travel a lot, I go to different places, and everywhere I go I say, “It’s so beautiful here, I could live here.” And then I come back to New York and realize I could never live anywhere else. It’s the uniqueness of the people, the

uniqueness of who we are, the uniqueness of our diversity, of our ethnicity. It’s the uniqueness of looking at a city that has skyscrapers and is surrounded by water, and yet has beautiful homes with lawns and great schools and the best food scene anywhere in the world—great parks, the greatest cultural institutions. It’s like if you’re here, you really should never be anywhere else—that’s my opinion. For me, it’s the greatest place. I’m happy my parents moved here in the mid-1960s, because I would hate to think of where I would be if they didn’t. Who has the best Italian food in New York City? One positive thing that happened during the pandemic is I perfected my meatball recipe. I would say my Sunday sauce is the best in the world, but there are millions of others who would disagree. I will also never answer the question of what is the best Italian restaurant in New York, because I would lose a lot of friends in the process. However, I will say this as a Brooklyn boy: I would argue that Brooklyn has some of the best Italian cuisine anywhere in the world, so whether it’s in Carroll Gardens or wo pieces of legislation that are Bay Ridge or Bensonhurst or Coney Island or Marine Park, we’ve got some of the best restaurants anywhere. But I will let you come and visit and decide what you think is the best. But I will say this: the best cannoli in New York is at Villabate in Bensonhurst. second piece of the bill is also important What’s your favorite place to grab a drink? Oh my God, there are so many. But I have to say this—and maybe it sounds cliché—but members. The federal government is a martini at the River Café overlooking the city for me is still the quintessential New way it hasn’t done probably in 60 years, so for us that is the number one priority. York drink. I just think it’s a very special spot. What do you think the biggest surprise of 2022 is going to be? I think people are going to be shocked at how well New York comes back. I think people are going to be shocked at a new mayor who is going to do great things, a civic and business community ready to roll up their sleeves and New Yorkers across the five boroughs who are excited to see the city back, the economy back, the kids he has put together. I’m excited that the in schools full time, Broadway open, a Christmas season with lights and trees and and the real estate community and the everything else. And I think that the people who left New York and said it was over here better and much more positive and much are going to wish they never left, because the city is going to come back stronger, better, and greater than it ever was. people in our industry to continue to build will have a great governor no matter what the current governor, Kathy Hochul, a lot of credit for picking up quickly at the end of August and really understanding that economic development and building needs

After Gateway, what is the next big ink Gateway obviously is going to finally move forward. I think we have to all sit down and reimagine the BrooklynQueens Expressway, which really starts Bridge. I really believe that rebuilding, critical. So that is something that I can tell you we will focus on heavily. A new Port Authority bus terminal—very critical. A critical. Second Avenue subway, phases would expand mass transit options into transportation into Red Hook and some parts of Southern Brooklyn that are transit deserts—I think that is important. We have a lot of things on our plate that can happen rebuilding NYCHA is really critical as well. all of this done? always the same two things: You need the willingness of people at all levels of government to come together and move think that’s where an organization like the Building Congress plays a critical role—in bringing people together and helping to put aside politics or any personal items for the people of our city, and how are we York City?” I think that is one of the biggest Why do you love New York? unny—I travel a lot, I go to different places, and everywhere I go I say, “It’s so beautiful here, I could live here.” And then I come back to New York and realize I could never live anywhere else. It’s the uniqueness of the people, the uniqueness of who we are, the uniqueness of our diversity, of our ethnicity. It’s the uniqueness of looking at a city that has skyscrapers and is surrounded by water, and great schools and the best food scene anywhere in the world—great parks, the greatest cultural institutions. It’s like if you’re here, you really should never be anywhere else—that’s my opinion. For parents moved here in the mid-1960s, because I would hate to think of where I

Who has the best Italian food in New York recipe. I would say my Sunday sauce is the best in the world, but there are millions of others who would disagree. I will also never Italian restaurant in New York, because I would lose a lot of friends in the process. However, I will say this as a Brooklyn boy: I would argue that Brooklyn has some of the best Italian cuisine anywhere in the world, so whether it’s in Carroll Gardens or Bay Ridge or Bensonhurst or Coney Island or Marine Park, we’ve got some of the best restaurants anywhere. But I will let you come and visit and decide what you think is the best. But I will say this: the best cannoli in New York is at Villabate in Bensonhurst. What’s your favorite place to grab a drink? my God, there are so many. But I have to a martini at the River Café overlooking the city for me is still the quintessential New York drink. I just think it’s a very special What do you think the biggest surprise of 2022 is going to be? people are going to be shocked at how well New York comes back. I think people are going to be shocked at a new civic and business community ready to roll up their sleeves and New Yorkers across the five boroughs who are excited to see the city back, the economy back, the kids in schools full time, Broadway open, a Christmas season with lights and trees and everything else. And I think that the people the city is going to come back stronger, better, and greater than it ever was.

EMERGENCY RESPONDER ACT

In the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist n the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks New Yorkers from all walks of attacks New Yorkers from all walks of life were called upon to respond to the emergency at the World Trade Center site. The building and construction industry, for its part, took on an important role in the recovery and cleanup efforts at Ground Zero, in addition to carrying out safety inspections of nearby buildings.

After the rubble had been cleared, After the rubble had been cleared, however, plaintiffs began filing lawsuits however, plaintiffs began filing lawsuits against the city and its contractors, which against the city and its contractors, which included 22 structural engineering firms. included 22 structural engineering firms. The most significant complaint came from Ground Zero workers who had been exposed to toxins in the air. Regardless exposed to toxins in the air. Regardless of whether they had been contracted or volunteered to help out, engineers or volunteered to help out, engineers and other members of the construction and other members of the construction industry faced billions of dollars in claims, industry faced billions of dollars in claims, while incurring hundreds of millions in legal costs.

Federal legislation eventually provided Federal legislation eventually provided the firms with some relief, but the wave of lawsuits had a chilling effect the next time a major disaster struck—which turned time a major disaster struck—which turned out to be Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The out to be Superstorm Sandy in 2012. The hurricane displaced thousands of New hurricane displaced thousands of New Yorkers whose homes had sustained flooding and other damage. Since the houses had to be inspected for safety before they could be reoccupied, and the before they could be reoccupied, and the city’s Buildings Department lacked the staff for such an immense undertaking, it put out a call for help to the New York chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA).

“Within 24 hours we had approximately “Within 24 hours we had approximately 270 volunteers—architects willing to go out and perform the inspections on a volunteer basis with the Buildings a volunteer basis with the Buildings Department in order to assist with the emergency response,” recalled Joe Aliotta, emergency response,” recalled Joe Aliotta, who was the chapter’s president at the time and is now a principal at the firm

EVERETT, A KATZ/SHUTTERSTOCK EVERETT, A KATZ/SHUTTERSTOCK Perkins Eastman.

But the possibility of being sued for negligence, as occurred after 9/11, ultimately dissuaded many of his members from participating in the recovery. According to Aliotta, the architects asked for “some type of indemnity” from the city. “My understanding is that the city Law’s Department reviewed it and could not provide the documents that were needed, and so the Building Department could not utilize the volunteers,” he said.

Following Superstorm Sandy the New York Building Congress convened a task force to formulate recommendations on how the city could bolster its emergency preparedness in the future. The Emergency Responder Act emerged out of that initiative. Other jurisdictions already had “Good Samaritan” laws in place: the proposed New York bill would similarly limit the liability faced by engineers, architects, and other contractor groups under emergency conditions.

“This is a balancing act: we need people to respond in emergency situations, but there has to be a recognition that in those instances all safety protocols can’t necessarily be put in place due to lack of time,” said Michael Zetlin, senior partner at Zetlin & De Chiara LLP who serves as general counsel to the New York Building Congress.

Carlo A. Scissura, president and CEO of the New York Building Congress, told City & State that “we live in an age when once-in-a-lifetime emergencies now seem to occur every few years.”

“The industry has caught up by adapting to the threats of terrorism, climate change and anything else that comes our way, but our state’s liability laws have not kept up,” he said. “Instead, they continue to enable blanket lawsuits against all those who respond to a crisis — rather than focus on legitimate instances of neglect.”

Earlier this fall, Council Member Justin Brannan introduced a resolution calling on Albany to pass the Emergency Responder Act. The bill would provide members of the building industry liability protection during

But the possibility of being sued times of emergency, but the benefits for negligence, as occurred after 9/11, “would not be applied in cases of wanton, ultimately dissuaded many of his members willful, or intentional misconduct, nor to services provided after 90 days of the emergency.” Proponents of the bill argue that it will make New York safer by ensuring that the Department reviewed it and could not city can marshal the necessary resources to respond right away the next time that a and so the Building Department could not crisis hits. utilize the volunteers,” he said. “No one thinks about an emergency

Following Superstorm Sandy the New and how it impacts them until it actually York Building Congress convened a task happens,” said Aliotta, who lives in Staten Island and witnessed firsthand the destruction caused by Superstorm Sandy. “There is no way that the city or state—or even FEMA, for that matter—can respond initiative. Other jurisdictions already on their own with the workforce and manpower that is actually needed.”

to respond in emergency situations, but there has to be a recognition that in general counsel to the New York Building

Carlo A. Scissura, president and CEO of the New York Building Congress, told City & State that “we live in an age when once-in-a-lifetime emergencies now seem to occur every few years.” and anything else that comes our way, but our state’s liability laws have not kept up,” blanket lawsuits against all those who respond to a crisis — rather than focus on legitimate instances of neglect.”

Earlier this fall, Council Member Justin Albany to pass the Emergency Responder Act. The bill would provide members of the building industry liability protection during times of emergency, but the benefits “would not be applied in cases of wanton, willful, or intentional misconduct, nor to services provided after 90 days of the

Proponents of the bill argue that it will make New York safer by ensuring that the city can marshal the necessary resources crisis hits. and how it impacts them until it actually happens,” said Aliotta, who lives in Staten Island and witnessed firsthand the “There is no way that the city or state—or even FEMA, for that matter—can respond on their own with the workforce and manpower that is actually needed.”

CENTENNIAL CENTENNIAL BALL RECAP BALL RECAP

The New York Building Congress hosted its Centennial Ball at the Jacob K. Javits Convention T he New York Building Congress hosted its Centennial Ball at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center of New York on Thursday, Center of New York on Thursday, November 18. More than 1,000 company November 18. More than 1,000 company executives, decision makers and public executives, decision makers and public officials turned out for the milestone officials turned out for the milestone event, held inside the Far West Side event, held inside the Far West Side convention center’s new expansion, convention center’s new expansion, in a salute to the last 100 years of in a salute to the last 100 years of building New York.Building Congress building New York.Building Congress President and CEO Carlo A. Scissura President and CEO Carlo A. Scissura kicked the night off, leading into a kicked the night off, leading into a performance of the national anthem performance of the national anthem by Police Officer Makiah Brown of the by Police Officer Makiah Brown of the NYPD Ceremonial Unit. Centennial NYPD Ceremonial Unit. Centennial Commission Co-Chairs Frank Sciame Commission Co-Chairs Frank Sciame and Dominick Servedio, both former and Dominick Servedio, both former Chairs of the Building Congress, then Chairs of the Building Congress, then spoke on the millions of people who spoke on the millions of people who were a part of the industry over the were a part of the industry over the last century. Turner Construction last century. Turner Construction Executive Vice President Pat Di Executive Vice President Pat Di Filippo gave a special presentation Filippo gave a special presentation of the 10 Building Congress Charter of the 10 Building Congress Charter Members —the firms that helped form Members —the firms that helped form the organization in 1921 and remain the organization in 1921 and remain an active member today. Building an active member today. Building Congress Chair Elizabeth Velez then Congress Chair Elizabeth Velez then discussed the industry’s role in times discussed the industry’s role in times of crisis.Governor Kathy Hochul later of crisis.Governor Kathy Hochul later spoke before the ballroom, followed by spoke before the ballroom, followed by a special performance by W.A.F.F.L.E. a special performance by W.A.F.F.L.E. —the Bronx-based dance group that —the Bronx-based dance group that was the only contestant to get a Golden was the only contestant to get a Golden Buzzer on Season 15 of America’s Got Buzzer on Season 15 of America’s Got Talent. That was followed by remarks Talent. That was followed by remarks from New York Building Foundation from New York Building Foundation Chair Cheryl McKissack Daniel and Chair Cheryl McKissack Daniel and Young Professionals Board Liaison Young Professionals Board Liaison Marilisa Stigliano. Scissura closed Marilisa Stigliano. Scissura closed the night out by introducing Jarrod the night out by introducing Jarrod Spector and His Jersey Boys Friends Spector and His Jersey Boys Friends with Special Guest Drew Gehling, who with Special Guest Drew Gehling, who delivered a special selection from the delivered a special selection from the Broadway hit Jersey Boys.Broadway hit Jersey Boys. Top, left to right: Dr. Samuel Top, left to right: Dr. Samuel Daniel, Cheryl McKissack Daniel, Cheryl McKissack Daniel and Deryl McKissack Daniel and Deryl McKissack of McKissack & McKissack of McKissack & McKissack and Ralph Esposito of Suffolk. and Ralph Esposito of Suffolk. Below, left to right: Joseph Below, left to right: Joseph Aliotta of Perkins Eastman, Aliotta of Perkins Eastman, John Dionisio of Global Infra-John Dionisio of Global Infrastructure Solutions, Inc., Ehab structure Solutions, Inc., Ehab Shehata of BRAVO Group, Shehata of BRAVO Group, Nermin Shehata and Dominick Nermin Shehata and Dominick Servedio of STV Group, Inc. Servedio of STV Group, Inc.

SEAN PRESSLEYSEAN PRESSLEY Left: Marilisa Stigliano of STV Group, Inc. Left: Marilisa Stigliano of STV Group, Inc. delivers remarks. Below, left to right: Building delivers remarks. Below, left to right: Building Congress President & CEO Carlo A. Scissura, Congress President & CEO Carlo A. Scissura, Centennial Commission Co-Chair Domi-Centennial Commission Co-Chair Dominick Servedio of STV Group, Inc., Building nick Servedio of STV Group, Inc., Building Congress Chair Elizabeth Velez of the Velez Congress Chair Elizabeth Velez of the Velez Organization and Centennial Commission CoOrganization and Centennial Commission CoChair Frank Sciame of Sciame Construction. Chair Frank Sciame of Sciame Construction.

Top: Building Congress leaders Top: Building Congress leaders presented a special recognition presented a special recognition to 10 founding firms who remain to 10 founding firms who remain active members today. These active members today. These Charter Members are today Charter Members are today known as: AECOM Tishman, known as: AECOM Tishman, Building Trades Employers’ As-Building Trades Employers’ Association, Cauldwell Wingate, E-J sociation, Cauldwell Wingate, E-J Electric Installation Co., HLW, Ja-Electric Installation Co., HLW, Jaros, Baum & Bolles, Otis Elevator ros, Baum & Bolles, Otis Elevator Company, Skanska, STV Group, Company, Skanska, STV Group, Inc. and Turner Construction Inc. and Turner Construction Company. Above, left to right: Company. Above, left to right: John Fish of Suffolk, Edward John Fish of Suffolk, Edward Piccinich of SL Green Realty Piccinich of SL Green Realty Corp. and Roseanne Piccinich. Corp. and Roseanne Piccinich.