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ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — The legislative standoff over New York City's now-expired rent regulations continued Wednesday in Albany, dominating what was supposed to be the session's final day and threatening to derail unrelated legislation — including a proposal to make the humble wood frog the Empire State's official amphibian.
The rent rules, which cover more than 2 million tenants in rent-controlled and rent-stabilized apartments in and around New York City, expired after Monday when lawmakers couldn't reach an agreement on an extension.
With the standoff, the session appeared likely to run into Thursday, Friday or beyond.
Assembly Democrats want stronger protections for tenants. Senate Republicans want income verifications to ensure apartment dwellers deserve the benefit. A simple extension of the existing rules is likely to become more appealing to lawmakers as the session drags on.
"That would probably be looked upon as a last resort," said Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, D-Bronx, said of proposals to simply renew the old rules for several months to put off the debate until next year. "We're still working, trying to get something done."
But the lapse has angered many tenants — who have rallied in New York City and in Albany — and several lawmakers who said Albany should have acted long ago to avoid the expiration.
Democrats in the Senate seized on a bill that would name the wood frog the state's official amphibian as evidence the chamber's leaders have the wrong priorities. The bill, which passed on a 32-21 vote, was first proposed by an elementary school class.
"This is an asinine bill ... when 2 million people in New York City are worried they don't have a home," said Sen. Michael Gianaris, D-Queens.
The bill's sponsor, Sen. John DeFrancisco, R-Syracuse, dismissed the Democrats' anger as a ridiculous stunt.
"To compare this to rent control is nonsense," he said. "Everyone in this place knows that (the rent law) is being negotiated."
The expiration of the rent laws isn't expected to have a significant impact for now. Landlords of rent-regulated units must give notice to tenants about rent increases or evictions, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo vowed to go after landlords who exploit the law's expiration.
The Assembly passed a bill last month that would renew the rules for four years and make it harder for vacant rent-stabilized apartments to become deregulated.
Wednesday morning, Senate Leader John Flanagan, R-Long Island, met with Cuomo and said his chamber's GOP majority remains supportive of the rent renewal bill it passed earlier in the week. That measure would extend the law for eight years and subject rent-regulated tenants to income verification checks.
"I am prepared to be here with my colleagues until we get the people's business done," Flanagan said.
The law expired when it came up for renewal four years ago before an extension passed a few days later.
On other issues Wednesday, the Assembly and Senate passed legislation to extend a new policy on campus sexual assault to private colleges. It requires affirmative consent for sex, which cannot be given by someone who is incapacitated by involuntary restraints, being asleep or unconscious or too intoxicated. It unanimously passed both houses.
Lawmakers continue to negotiate the renewal of a lucrative tax break for New York City developers. Other proposals awaiting votes include bills to legalize professional mixed-martial arts and create a tax credit for private school tuition.
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