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Appeals Court Rejects NYC Mayor’s Water Bill Credit

February 16, 2017 – Media Mention
Reuters

Michael Berengarten was quoted in Reuters about an appellate court victory which struck down Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to give some homeowners credits on their water bills while hiking rates for others. The Appellate Division, First Department in Manhattan voted 3-1 in favor of Herrick clients the Rent Stabilization Association and various property owners, ruling that the city's water board lacked a rational basis to award one-time $183 credits to owners of one- to three-family homes while leaving other property owners ineligible. "This was a flat giveaway to a broad class of property owners, regardless of need, without any legitimate water-related purpose,” said Berengarten. “Board members are appointed by the mayor, and abdicated their responsibilities to achieve his political goals.”