City Councilwoman Julie Menin is reportedly close to securing a veto-proof majority for a controversial bill that could severely impact New York City’s hotel industry and hinder tourism as the city continues to recover from the pandemic. Her apparent goal is to gain the support of influential hotel unions for her anticipated run for council speaker.
The proposed “Safe Hotel Act” is expected to increase room rates and displace nonunion workers, many of whom are minority immigrant women. The bill would require hotels to obtain annual operating licenses, prohibit them from outsourcing essential services, and mandate the employment of only unionized workers.
Vijay Dandapani, president of the Hotel Association of New York City, has compared the bill to a “nuclear bomb” that could devastate a significant portion of the industry. This proposal follows other union-driven measures, such as the near-total ban on Airbnb rentals in the city.
Two years ago, a law was passed requiring special permits to build new hotels, but since then, no applications have been filed. This effectively prevents the establishment of new non-unionized hotels, as potential developers are deterred by the influence of the hotel union, HTC.
The current push aims to eliminate nonunion jobs in hotels, potentially leading to closures and allowing the HTC to exert control over the entire industry indefinitely.
Menin claims the bill is an anti-crime initiative, yet NYPD statistics and 911 complaints do not indicate a significant crime issue centered around hotels. Hotels, keen to remain operational, are already vigilant about security.
The Police Benevolent Association has recently endorsed the bill, but this may be due to both the PBA and HTC being clients of the same lobbying firm, Pitta Bishop.
Menin suggests that billionaire hoteliers need to be held accountable, but most hotel owners are not billionaires; many are South Asian entrepreneurs investing in properties outside Manhattan.
While the hotel industry has supported restrictions on Airbnb and other short-term rentals, the cumulative effect of these policies is making it increasingly expensive for all but the wealthy to visit the city for leisure.
This trend is detrimental to Broadway, museums, restaurants, and the broader hospitality sector, as well as non-luxury retailers.
The City Council appears to be increasingly influenced by ideologues and special interests, making New York City less accessible for ordinary residents. Menin’s push for this divisive measure to advance her political career highlights the growing corruption within the city’s legislative body.
Source: nypost.com