Gov. Kathy Hochul’s proposed affordable housing plan that requires municipalities to build more affordable housing would have a devastating impact on suburban communities across the Empire State, especially Long Island, New York, House Republicans told Fox NewsDigital.
“This proposal not only seeks to replace the local authority to regulate zoning, but its impact would have disastrous consequences for the quality of life on Long Island.,” Republican Rep. Andrew Garbarino, who represents New York’s 2nd congressional district along the southern shore of Long Island, told Fox News Digital this week.
“Our community simply cannot handle a monumental increase in population density,” Garbarino continued. “More people means more vehicles added to our already congested roads, higher student-teacher ratios, overcrowding our beaches and recreational spaces, and overburdening our already overstretched sewage and wastewater systems. Local municipalities are in charge of the zoning because they understand local needs and challenges.
Hochul publicly announced a plan last month that would build 800,000 new homes over the next 10 years, implement requirements and incentives for cities to build affordable housing, and require municipalities with MTA train stations to rezone the surrounding area for “residential development.” more dense.” .”
GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK. HOCHUL ANNOUNCES PLANS TO BAN GAS HEAT IN NEW HOMES AND BUILDINGS IN THE COMING YEARS
New York Governor Kathy Hochul presents her executive state budget in the Red Room of the state Capitol on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, in Albany, New York.
(AP Photo/Hans Pennink)
“New York is facing a housing crisis that requires bold action and an all-hands-on approach,” Hochul said in a Press release. “Every community in New York must do its part to foster housing growth to move our State forward and keep our economy strong. The New York Housing Compact is a comprehensive plan to drive the changes needed to create more homes, meet growing demand and make our state a more equitable, stable and affordable place to live.”
Three other Republicans representing New York in Congress shared Garbarino’s concerns, including Rep. Mike Lawler, who represents New York’s 17th Congressional District in the Hudson Valley, who said the plan is “extremely damaging” to suburban communities and should be “vacated immediately.”
“Governor Hochul’s sweeping plan to eliminate local zoning control in an effort to increase the housing stock in the Hudson Valley and Long Island sets a dangerous precedent for state overreach and destruction of local control,” Lawler told Fox News Digital.
GOVERNOR OF NEW YORK. KATHY HOCHUL PLANNING TO IMPROVE THE STATE’S MENTAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
Rep. Elise Stefanik, Republican of New York, speaks during a press conference about the FBI search of former President Trump’s home in Florida
(The Washington Post via Getty Images)
“For centuries, communities across New York State have had local control of their zoning, allowing for responsible development along with infrastructure investments. In one fell swoop, Governor Hochul is undoing centuries of precedent in a misguided attempt to placate progressives in the state Legislature.”
Last week, the New York Republican delegation in the House of Representatives sent a letter to Hochul arguing that the stress of overcrowding will be a “recipe for disaster”.
The plan has received significant pushback on Long Island from local Republicans who oppose adding 3% housing over three years and rezoning the half-mile area around the train stations, CBS News reported.
HOCHUL FLAMED FOR ASKING PEOPLE TO STOP ‘LEAVING’ NEW YORK AFTER TELLING REPUBLICANS TO ‘GET OUT’ MONTHS BEFORE
Mike Lawler, Republican candidate for New York’s 17th Congressional District, greets supporters at the end of Senate candidate Bill Weber’s speech during an election night party, Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2022, in Pearl River, NY.
(AP Photo/Eduardo Muñoz Álvarez)
“How about the infrastructure to support it? How about we electrify the railway? How about we make sure the roads work? How about we make sure there’s sewage?” Brookhaven City Supervisor Ed Romaine told the outlet.
Supporters of the plan argue that it will address the state’s housing crisis that has contributed to the population exodus and create a system in which more New Yorkers can live.
“To address the severe housing crisis plaguing New York State, Governor Hochul proposed a bold plan to create 800,000 new homes over the next decade by working collaboratively and flexibly with cities and towns that need more housing,” he said. Hochul’s deputy communications director, Justin Henry, told Fox. Digital News in a statement.
“Governor Hochul is eager to work to solve the housing crisis and make New York more affordable for any elected leader who wants to be part of the solution.”
Hochul’s office directed Fox News Digital to several politicians and local leaders who expressed support for the plan, including Democratic Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, who said the move “will incentivize local municipalities to work closely with the state to address an issue that is critical to Long Island’s economic future.'”
ZELDIN: NY CRIME IS GOING NOWHERE BECAUSE ELECTION IS OVER, RESIDENTS HAVE THE TASK OF DECIDING WHETHER TO STAY
Congressional candidate Nick LaLota speaks to the media on Election Day in Patchogue, New York on November 8, 2022.
(Thomas A. Ferrara/Newsday RM via Getty)
Other local leaders have suggested that the GOP opposition to the plan is racially motivated, including ERASE Racism chair Laura Harding, Esq., who said the plan “envisions Long Islanders and our elected officials working collectively on the development of affordable housing options that will benefit ALL of Long Island.” islanders.
“While more details remain to be determined, we must not allow critics who have no plans of their own and use thinly veiled stereotypical tropes and coded language to derail this opportunity for us to come together for our seniors, children, and future generations and the most vulnerable populations can create a successful life on Long Island free from structural racism and de facto segregation.”
“Kathy Hochul is expanding her authoritarian power over our New York communities. She must end her dangerous proposal to remove local control over zoning and work with local municipalities instead of putting their wishes before the needs of our communities.”
Republicans remain unconvinced by Democrats who insist the plan will be flexible and warn it will take away the power of localities to determine what is best for residents.
MIGRANTS STAY CAMPED ON NEW YORK STREET AFTER ALMOST 48 HOURS TO PROTEST EVICTION OF FREE STAY AT LUXURY HOTEL
Rep. Andrew Garbarino, RN.Y., speaks to Roll Call on the House steps on Capitol Hill on Friday, July 30, 2021
(Photo by Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
“Kathy Hochul is expanding her authoritarian power over our New York communities. She must end her dangerous proposal to remove local control over zoning and work with local municipalities instead of putting their wishes before the needs of our communities,” said Republican Rep. Elise. Stefanik, who represents New York’s 21st Congressional District in the northern part of the state, told Fox News Digital.
Stefanik added that he opposes “blatant overreach” to ensure that New York communities are not “forced to cede control to his corrupt regime.”
Republican Rep. Nick LaLota, who represents New York’s 1st Congressional District on eastern Long Island, agreed with Stefanik’s conclusion, telling Fox News Digital that the plan is an “unnecessary example” and of “heavy hand” of Albany government overreach.
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New York Governor Kathy Hochul, center, speaks to reporters after visiting the Hamilton housing development at West 73rd Street and Broadway on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, New York.
(Luiz C. Ribeiro/New York Daily News/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
“A one-size-fits-all government mandate is not the best way to govern. We need to give more power to local governments and leaders, and less power to executive orders and mandates,” LaLota said.
Hochul reiterated his support for the New York Housing Compact during a recent press conference, saying the measure is “not a one-size-fits-all approach.”
“We have failed so far,” Hochul added. “Failure is no longer an option.”
Republicans have suggested that Hochul go back to the drawing board to find other ways to achieve common goals that do not involve mandatory Albany requirements.
“Governor Hochul needs to step back and work with local government to find a reasonable alternative to address housing availability,” Garbarino told Fox News Digital.
