If rent protections expire, Silver is the one to blame. The speaker is playing Russian roulette and the Silver bullet is pointed at the heads of 2 million New York renters. Silver, echoing the most radical tenant groups who appear with him at rallies, has refused to negotiate any fair changes to New York's stifling rent laws. Pataki and Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno have been flexible. Indeed, they already have compromised in a process that essentially has them negotiating with themselves.
Silver has yet to offer a single substantive idea.
Pataki especially has staked out a reasonable middle ground one that would maintain rent protections for the vast majority of tenants. Apartments would lose their protections only after all eligible family members or domestic partners move out or die. The poor, elderly and infirm would be protected even after that. Building owners who attempt to force tenants to leave would be punished severely. The need for reform is unquestionable.