Dozens of New York state lawmakers are expressing their opposition to a state budget that includes a housing package with exemptions for certain tenants from stronger eviction protection laws and rollbacks to rent regulations passed in 2019. The delayed state budget has seen discussions on housing take center stage, with lawmakers feeling a heightened urgency to address housing policy after it was excluded from last year's budget.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins stated that while progress has been made in housing discussions, a final agreement has not yet been reached. Meanwhile, more than 40 state lawmakers have aligned themselves with Housing Justice For All, a coalition advocating for tenant protections, insisting on maintaining the integrity of the 2019 rent regulations and stronger eviction protections.

Brian Kavanagh, the chair of the Senate Housing, Construction, and Community Development Committee, played a crucial role in passing the 2019 rent regulations and emphasized his commitment to preserving these protections. He acknowledged the complexity of the law and expressed openness to adjusting the Individual Apartment Improvement cap to address rising costs and inflation, but not at the expense of the law's purpose.

As negotiations continue, the possibility of a housing package becoming part of the final spending plan appears uncertain. While state leaders have described the housing talks as productive, resistance from lawmakers on certain proposals may hinder progress. Legislative leaders are set to convene another budget meeting but did not meet on Wednesday due to various reasons, including Governor Kathy Hochul attending a White House state dinner and the observance of the Islamic holiday Eid al-Fitr.

One contentious issue at the forefront of discussions is the legislation known as "good cause eviction," which aims to control rent increases statewide and make evictions more challenging for tenants. Leaders are exploring potential exemptions for luxury apartments and property owners in specific areas. Nonetheless, lawmakers such as Kavanagh vow to resist any efforts that compromise the rights of one group of tenants for the benefit of another.

Republican leaders have united against Democrats' insistence on including the principles of good cause eviction in the budget. They argue that such measures will further reduce the supply of affordable housing in New York. Concerns are raised about the impact on housing construction, homeownership, and property values across the state.

Property owners and tenant advocates alike are expressing their dissatisfaction with the current housing negotiations. Cea Weaver, the coalition director of Housing Justice For All, argues that the proposed version of good cause eviction and rollbacks to rent stabilization cancel each other out, resulting in a net negative outcome for tenants' rights. Weaver calls for the removal of the current deal from the budget, emphasizing its inadequacy for unregulated renters and the need for increased housing supply.

As the state budget negotiations continue, tensions rise among lawmakers and advocacy groups on the housing package's terms. The fate of key provisions remains uncertain, and the final budget's impact on tenant protections and affordable housing in New York State is yet to be determined.