New York Court of Appeals Advances Lawsuit Against NYC’s Property Tax System

Last Tuesday, the New York Court of Appeals made a decision that could significantly change New York City’s property tax system. In a 4-3 decision, New York’s highest court allowed a lawsuit by Tax Equity New York (TENNY) to move forward, with the suit claiming that the property tax system imposes higher rates on rental buildings and small homes in lower-income neighborhoods than condos, co-ops and other homes in wealthier areas. Mayors since David Dinkins have advocated for changes to the current property tax structure, but have not been successful in reforming the system. The case will now return to the lower courts for discovery and further proceedings where the City will have to defend the current system. Any changes to the property tax system would then require State legislation.

NYC Council Passes and Introduces Legislation

Last Tuesday, the NYC Council convened a Stated meetings where they passed and introduced legislation. The Council passed a bill that requires the NYC DOE to report actual class sizes of all classes three times annually, and expand reports on the number of students in special programs. They also passed legislation that extends the expiration date of the NYC rent stabilization law to 2027. The Council introduced a package of bills related to city contracting, including legislation that would require NYC’s Chief Procurement Officer to conduct evaluations of non-profit contracts valued at over $1 million, require prevailing wage for city-contracted human service workers, and establish a task force to examine disparities in contracting. They also introduced legislation that would require food delivery companies to be responsible for the safe operation of electric food delivery bicycles that make deliveries on their behalf, and introduced a bill that would create a Small Business Disaster Recovery and Resiliency Advisory Board. You can find all of the legislation that was passed and introduced here.

City and State NY’s 2024 Trailblazing Attorneys

Ken Fisher and Jerry Goldfeder of Cozen O’Connor’s NY Practice have been named to City & State NY’s 2024 Trailblazers in Law. The list honors the legal leaders making the state a better place, and includes legal experts in key areas, including health care, labor and real estate, and in pioneering industries such as cannabis and renewable energy.