STOP PATAKI!
Met Council Launches Postcard Campaign
Against Pataki's Proposed DHCR Code Changes

As of press time, Governor George Pataki and his landlord lackeys at the Division of Housing and Community Renewal have still NOT put through their proposals to gut rent regulation by "amending" the state housing code. But their proposed changes, which would give landlords unprecedented power to evict, overcharge, and withhold services from regulated tenants, can technically be implemented at any time. The fact that Pataki has not yet given the green light signals that he is hearing tenant anger. Most believe that he is waiting for Election Day to pass, so as not create a backlash against Republicans in State Senate and Assembly races. Therefore, it is now more crucial than ever that tenants voice their opposition to this underhanded raid on the rent laws.

Met Council has created postcards which tenants can sign and send to the Governor. We have gotten over 2,000 signed and sent to Albany so far. Our aim is to send another 4,000 cards to Pataki before January 1, 2001.

We Need Help with the Following:

We have been tabling in front of both the Brooklyn and Harlem DHCR. The response has been terrific and we will continue tabling at DHCR well into November. We need help working these tables. We are also looking for volunteers to table in front of the Queens and the Bronx DHCR. wWe are asking all of our members to get postcards signed in their building, union, community group, senior center, religious congregation, etc. We need help spreading the word and getting signatures where you live! wWe are asking all elected officials (City Councilmembers, Assemblymembers, State Senators) to write letters to Pataki denouncing the proposed code changes. Contact your elected officials and ask if they've done this. wA demonstration is will be planned in the near future. Look for further developments in the December issue of Tenant or contact Met Council. If you can help with the campaign to defeat Pataki's code changes, contact Met Council: (212) 693-0553 x 6 or activemch@aol.com.

We have postcards (see below) and fact sheets waiting for you!

Governor George Pataki
Executive Chamber, State Capitol
Albany, N.Y. 12224

Governor Pataki:

I am aware that you are up for re-election in 2002.

I am a tenant writing to you about the changes proposed by DHCR to the State Housing Code. I am calling upon you to prevent these changes from becoming permanent. As you know, these changes do not merely favor landlords, they undermine the foundation of rent regulation.

As Governor you are responsible for the conduct of the state agencies under your authority. If you allow DHCR to dismantle what is left of our tenant protections, tenants will hold you accountable. Please help us avoid this disaster. Throw out the proposed changes.

(Include your name, address and signature.)