Post by High Priestess on May 10, 2016 14:17:00 GMT
SEe the article:
www.wsj.com/articles/union-financed-fight-to-block-airbnb-in-new-york-city-1462842763
A political organization funded by a hotel and trades union has helped develop a multifaceted lobbying effort to urge New York City politicians to curtail Airbnb, according to emails and records reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
The group known as Share Better has written talking points and op-eds for City Council members, arranged meetings and suggested new rules for home-share services. The president of the 32,000-member New York Hotel Trades Council, which has funded Share Better, has met with Mayor Bill de Blasio at least four times, the documents show.
Unite Here, another hotel union close to Mr. de Blasio that opposes Airbnb, has given $400,000 to the Campaign for One New York, a now-defunct political organization whose activities have drawn state and federal investigations.
Mr. de Blasio has proven a willing ally. He hired employees for a special unit to pursue illegal apartment-share listings and promised last November to spend about $10 million on enforcement over the next three years. Manhattan City Councilman Helen Rosenthal has proposed a bill that would raise the fines on illegal listings. Share Better is pushing for even more enforcement.
www.wsj.com/articles/union-financed-fight-to-block-airbnb-in-new-york-city-1462842763
A political organization funded by a hotel and trades union has helped develop a multifaceted lobbying effort to urge New York City politicians to curtail Airbnb, according to emails and records reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
The group known as Share Better has written talking points and op-eds for City Council members, arranged meetings and suggested new rules for home-share services. The president of the 32,000-member New York Hotel Trades Council, which has funded Share Better, has met with Mayor Bill de Blasio at least four times, the documents show.
Unite Here, another hotel union close to Mr. de Blasio that opposes Airbnb, has given $400,000 to the Campaign for One New York, a now-defunct political organization whose activities have drawn state and federal investigations.
Mr. de Blasio has proven a willing ally. He hired employees for a special unit to pursue illegal apartment-share listings and promised last November to spend about $10 million on enforcement over the next three years. Manhattan City Councilman Helen Rosenthal has proposed a bill that would raise the fines on illegal listings. Share Better is pushing for even more enforcement.