ALBANY, NY (WENY)--WHILE THE BUDGET APPROACHES IT’S APRIL 1 DEADLINE, LAWMAKERS CONTINUE TO NEGOTIATE A DEAL ON HOUSING. 

DEMOCRATS CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR TENANT PROTECTIONS AND GOOD CAUSE EVICTION—SOME DRAWING LINES IN THE SAND SAYING THEY DON’T WANT A HOUSING DEAL WITHOUT IT.  

“The housing deal as we’ve always indicated must be holistic and must include tenant protections and aligned with the principles of good cause,” said Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-35th Senate District).

WHILE REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SAid THE OPPOSITE.  

“They have a different mindset that they’re trying to push with good cause eviction, tenancy for life—it would absolutely collapse the tenancy market in the state of New York,” said Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt (R-62nd Senate District).

BUT DESPITE THEIR DIFFERENT VIEWS ON THE ISSUE, SOME LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAid THEY FEEL THEY ARE IN THE REALM OF BEING ON THE SAME PAGE TO AN AGREEMENT ON HOUSING AND OTHER BIG ISSUES.  

“I think there’s a wide understanding and that’s what I mean about us all being on the same planet. I don’t know if we’re in the same country yet, but I think we’re at least on the same planet on most of the big issues,” said Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Assembly District 83).