Pesky Statute

By: Ruvi Lopez

Bronx: Re “Gov inks order to spur housing after plan failed in Legislature” (July 19): Whether affordable housing proposals come from Gov. Hochul or the Legislature, far too many financial resources will be wasted on liability costs due to the only-in-New York Scaffold Law. Because of this law, construction insurance costs are the highest in the nation. Minority- and women-owned construction firms can’t even get insurance to be able to take on government contracts. It drains resources that could go to building more schools, repairing MTA infrastructure and constructing bridges and tunnels. The nonpartisan group Common Good estimates that the law will siphon up to $300 million from the much-needed Gateway Program. Even if politicians don’t agree on how to build more housing, Hochul’s office and the Legislature must come together to fix the broken Scaffold Law. It works for no one but the billboard personal injury lawyers who take 33% of every lawsuit payout.

Ruvi Lopez, Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York