NYC property tax system may violate federal and state housing laws, top court rules

Plus, Mayor Adams is facing a sexual assault lawsuit.

FORWARD TO A FRIEND   VIEW IN BROWSER DONATE Top state court rules NYC property tax system may violate federal and state housing laws New York’s highest court issued a new ruling on Tuesday that could upend the way New York City collects billions of dollars in property taxes each year. The state Court of Appeals sided with a coalition of homeowners and real estate industry groups — known as Tax Equity Now New York — who sued the city, claiming the property tax system sets far higher rates on rental buildings and small homes in lower-income neighborhoods than on condos and homes in wealthier areas. In a 4-to-3 decision, the court said TENNY should be allowed to argue the current system violates the federal Fair Housing Act and real property tax law after lower courts dismissed their claims. Read more about the ruling. Mayor Eric Adams has been formally accused of demanding oral sex from a colleague in the NYPD’s transit bureau in 1993 and forcing her to touch his penis when she refused to comply, according to a civil complaint filed in state Supreme Court in Manhattan on Monday. But Adams is again denying the allegations, with his city attorney calling them “outrageous.” Read more about the lawsuit. 🗳️ More politics stories to know this week What else is happening in City Hall On Friday, NYC and the Legal Aid Society reached a settlement agreement which establishes new right-to-shelter rules for migrant adults. But several homeless advocates are criticizing the changes. Read more. Mayor Adams’ office says the administration’s proposed budget cuts to the CUNY wouldn’t severely affect its academic programing. But officials within the university system say otherwise. Read more. NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams unveiled several proposals to make the city more affordable in her State of the City address, including building housing at libraries and the Aqueduct Racetrack. Read more. New York City’s migrant crisis could be solved — at least in part — by solving the global climate crisis, according to former Vice President Al Gore. Read more. What’s going on in Albany Transparency advocates are pushing two new bills in Albany that would make government records in New York more accessible to the public. Read more. What's new in New Jersey A federal judge questioned the claim that New Jersey’s county clerks don’t have time to reprint ballots before this year’s June primary elections as he decides a key case for the state’s elections. Read more.  The New Jersey State Attorney General has said he won't defend that case, which is against a controversial ballot system known as the county line, because he said he believes the system is unconstitutional. Read more. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said he’s open to legislative changes to the state’s public records laws — if they don’t ultimately undermine transparency. Read more.   🗳️ Wildly Different Reactions to Schumer’s Gaza Speech What domestic or foreign consequences will come of a speech given by the highest ranking Jewish American lawmaker in US history, criticizing Israel's Prime Minister? LISTEN Support WNYC + Gothamist Make a donation to support local, independent journalism. Your contributions are our largest source of funding and pays for essential political coverage and more.   DONATE Facebook Twitter Instagram WNYC  |   WQXR  |   NJPR   |   GOTHAMIST WNYC STUDIOS  |   THE GREENE SPACE Copyright © New York Public Radio. All rights reserved. 160 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013 TERMS OF USE You can update your PREFERENCES or UNSUBSCRIBE from this list.