Fellow Airbnb Hosts in Ulster County:
You should have received an email from ther platform urging us to take action regarding the bill just passed in the NY assembly that will place further regulations on STRs in the state. I just sent the following letter to the Governor which I am sharing in case it may serve as a template for folks who are busy and might not otherwise have time to draft a letter of their own. In solidarity, R. Weston
To the The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York:
I am writing as a registered Democrat and resident of Ulster county who has voted for you and has campaigned actively for our swing elections in my congressional district to urge you to veto NY State Senate Bill 885C/Assembly Bill A4130. As a member of the large community of taxpaying home owners who offer short-term lodging for visitors to the the magnificent Catskill Mountains--visitors who bring vital annual revenue to the local small businesses, restaurants, and grocery stores of an economically depressed county in this great state. In The Town of Olive we are already compliant with local regulations that require a relatively burdensome yearly permit process, tax collection protocols, yearly water quality tests and inspections from the fire marshal, with the associated bureaucratic labor and not insignificant fees. Remaining compliance with local ordinances already places a substantial burden on the taxpaying homeowners of Ulster county who not only rely on the income from short-term rentals to make ends meet, but who have made possible the surge in tourism to the region which is the source of much of the outside money that is revitalizing the region. The recently passed House bill, if signed into law, adds redtape and further time-consuming burdens on citizens of this state who are just trying to provide for themselves and their families while facilitating a flow of revenue that extends far beyond the short-term rental market. With tremendous respect for all you are doing for the citizens of the great State of New York, I urge the Governor to reject this ill-conceived, unnecessary, and punitive measure that places undue burden on folks who are already struggling without any stated purpose or commensurable benefit. Sincerely, Dr. Robert Weston
