New York State's Assembly is now in Democratic control. On many legislators wish list is to end the vacancy decontrol provisions that allow landlords to remove a unit from rent control if a tenant moves out and the unit rents for more than $2,000 per month. (for those of you not in New York, … [Read more...]
Sandy Ikeda Guest-Blogging at Market Urbanism
When the New York Sun decided to shut down its press, the biggest loss to the blogosphere was Sanford Ikeda's Culture of Congestion blog. At the Sun, Sandy blogged about cities, economics, politics, and related subjects.Sandford Ikeda is an Associate Professor of Economics at SUNY Purchase. … [Read more...]
The Moral Case Against Rent Control
In Market Urbanism's four part series on rent control, I avoided the topic of the morality of rent control, as I intended to address the economic issues and leave the morality to others. Thankfully, J. Brian Phillips of the Ad Hoc Committee for Property Rights is an expert on the subject. In his … [Read more...]
Retail Rent Control
Thanks to Bill Nelson for tipping me off to the article from The Villager (NYC): Retail rent control? A city councilmember planned to introduce a bill this week that will require small businesses and landlords to submit to arbitration in negotiating lease renewals if both parties can’t agree on a … [Read more...]
Market Meltdown and Bailout Videos
Wow! This market is a mess.As a great follow up to his posts at CafeHayek on government's intervention in the housing market, Russell Roberts discusses the situation and bailout with reason.tv:Also...Here's the video from an Economics forum discussion at MIT (my Alma mater) on … [Read more...]
Cook County (Chicago) Sheriff Won’t Evict in Foreclosures
Cook Co. sheriff won't evict in foreclosures from Associated PressCook County Sheriff Tom Dart says he's ordered his deputies to stop taking part in evictions of properties that have been foreclosed upon.Dart says the change goes into effect Thursday. He says the decision comes because … [Read more...]
Glaeser: Let Housing Prices Fall
Ed Glaeser gives three compelling reasons why the government should end their infatuation with high housing prices. (Nonetheless, some of the same politicians speak through the other side of their mouths about promoting housing affordability): Why We Should Let Housing Prices Keep FallingThere … [Read more...]
Sun Sets on Culture of Congestion
The New York Sun has decided to close up shop. To Market Urbanists, the greatest casualties are Sandy Ikeda's blog, Culture of Congestion and Ed Glaeser's articles. Sandy's work has inspired me to read Jane Jacobs' books (starting with The Death and Life of Great American Cities), and I plan to post … [Read more...]