Get ready for Gov. Kathy Hochul to compromise once more in budget negotiations

We are hopeful that Governor Hochul is not giving in to progressives in the state budget negotiations in Albany.

One major concern is the potential expansion of rent control.

The so-called “Good Cause Eviction” bill proposed capping rent increases at a maximum of 3% for all units statewide, even those not yet regulated. It would require landlords to offer automatic lease renewals and make it extremely difficult to evict tenants, regardless of the reason.

It appears that Hochul is considering a “compromise” that would limit rent increases to as much as 10%, or five percentage points above the Consumer Price Index, as reported by The Post’s Vaughn Golden; other concessions, such as excluding certain buildings from the law, are also being discussed.

However, as we have previously warned, no adjustments or compromises can salvage the “Good Cause” bill. In any form, it will deter builders, reduce housing supply, and make it more challenging for tenants to find suitable housing.

Progressives are likely to make further changes in the future to make the bill even more detrimental.

Is Hochul willing to be remembered as the governor who extended city rent regulations to every apartment in the state (or at least initiated the process) and paved the way for a collapse of the housing market?

While restoring the city’s affordable housing construction tax break and rectifying the flawed 2019 rent law reforms would be positive outcomes for the governor, accepting the “Good Cause” bill would come at too high a cost.

Additionally, she has agreed to postpone cuts in state aid to school districts with declining enrollments, meaning schools with fewer students will still receive the same or even more funding.

The Legislature has deferred major criminal justice reforms, such as fixing the no-bail law, though there is a possibility that the governor could succeed in increasing penalties for retail theft.

Other unresolved matters include her efforts to make sensible cuts to Medicaid spending and find a way to permanently close illegal marijuana dispensaries.

Despite facing slim supermajorities of tax-and-spend Democrats, many of whom lean far left, in both the Assembly and Senate, Hochul has the power to veto legislation, and may even be able to prevent the passage of the “Good Cause” bill with just a few key votes.

She could also follow in the footsteps of Governor David Paterson by withholding “budget extenders” (except for essential government functions), effectively challenging lawmakers to shut down most agencies if they do not comply with her budget demands.

There is no justification for compromising on a poor budget.

Lawmakers have previously been able to assert their authority over Hochul, such as securing a substantial pay raise for themselves without making concessions and rejecting her choice for state chief judge.

It is time for Hochul to stand firm against progressives and assert her position.