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Kingston lawmakers are set to vote today (January 6) on overriding Mayor Steve Noble's veto of a resolution that would continue rent control under the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA). The Common Council initially planned to vote on the override last week but postponed it due to procedural requirements.
Mayor Noble vetoed the resolution, citing a recent vacancy study that showed Kingston's vacancy rate exceeded the 5% threshold required to maintain ETPA protections. Noble supports ETPA protections only for buildings with 22 or more units, arguing that this approach aligns with the study's findings and helps avoid potential lawsuits against the city. He stated, "If we want to keep rent stabilization (which I do!), we have to adhere to the facts and we have to be above reproach." Spectrum News reported.
However, tenant advocates and council members strongly oppose the veto, arguing it betrays tenants. They emphasize that limiting protections to larger buildings would remove rent control for many smaller properties, affecting about 40% of the 1,000 units currently covered. According to the Daily Freeman, the council needs six votes to override the veto, and members are confident they have the necessary support.
State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha criticized the policy requiring a vacancy rate to declare a housing emergency, calling it flawed. She introduced the Rent Emergency Stabilization for Tenants (REST) Act to allow localities like Kingston to protect tenants without relying on vacancy rates.
The outcome of today's vote will determine the future of rent control in Kingston and could influence similar measures in other cities. If the council successfully overrides the veto, it will preserve rent control protections for hundreds of residents. The Daily Freeman reported that tenant organizer June Nemon expressed confidence in the council's ability to override the veto, stating, "Tenants will turn out both tonight and on the 6th, and we feel confident that Council will formally override the Mayor’s veto next week."