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Kingston lawmakers are preparing to override Mayor Steve Noble's veto of a resolution that would continue rent control under the Emergency Tenant Protection Act (ETPA). The Common Council was scheduled to vote on the override on Tuesday (December 30), but procedural requirements delayed the vote to January 6. The override could significantly impact rent control protections for hundreds of residents.
Mayor Noble vetoed the resolution, arguing that the Common Council misconstrued a recent vacancy study. The study indicated that Kingston's vacancy rate was above the 5% threshold required to maintain ETPA protections. Noble expressed concerns that proceeding without addressing the study could lead to lawsuits against the city. He supports ETPA protections only for buildings with 22 or more units, which would remove protections for many smaller properties.
The Common Council needs six votes to override the veto, and they are confident they have the support necessary. According to the Daily Freeman, tenant advocates and council members expressed strong opposition to the mayor's veto, describing it as a betrayal of tenants. Tenant organizer June Nemon stated, "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."
State Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha criticized the veto, highlighting flaws in the policy requiring a vacancy rate to declare a housing emergency. 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 the January 6 vote will determine the future of rent control in Kingston and could set a precedent for similar measures in other cities.