Unique | Resort union donated over $700K to NYC pols backing invoice that would drive up lodging prices

A robust union has funneled greater than $700,000 in marketing campaign donations to metropolis lawmakers backing controversial laws that critics say would drive up lodge charges and wreck the Massive Apple’s hospitality trade, data present.

Since 2021, the Resort & Gaming Trades Council has donated $711,428 to spice up political campaigns for 15 of the 28 Metropolis Council members who’ve signed onto the invoice sponsored by Manhattan Democrat Julie Menin.

The measure features a stipulation requiring lodges to straight make use of most of its employees, together with housekeeping and front-desk workers. The transfer would seemingly drum up wage prices, critics mentioned.

Nonetheless, following outcry from critics, Menin amended the laws Friday to incorporate a carve-out guaranteeing lodge eating places, bars, and nightclubs aren’t affected.

Almost the entire cash – $689,078 – was paid by means of the union’s political motion committee, Resort Employees for Stronger Communities, and went in the direction of political mailers, telephone calls and different marketing campaign assist, data present.

It included $185,901 final 12 months to assist Councilman Justin Brannan (D-Brooklyn) prevail in a extremely contested race over former GOP Councilman Ari Kagan, and one other $113,675 in 2021 to assist Brooklyn Democrat Crystal Hudson get elected.

The remaining $22,350 was paid straight by means of the union to the 15 council members.

“That is worse than simply pay to play — it’s search and destroy,” mentioned an exasperated lodge proprietor who requested anonymity to keep away from angering the union.

“They provide these folks tens of 1000’s of {dollars} in contributions, and now the union’s calling of their chits, however what good is it in the event that they damage your complete trade within the course of?”

The union and its PAC additionally dished out one other $47,000 in marketing campaign funds to state Legal professional Normal Letitia James and $102,000 to town’s district attorneys, all of whom have publicly endorsed the invoice.

Though the Council has sufficient votes to cross the invoice, it lacks the 34 essential to override a mayoral veto.

Mayor Eric Adams has but to provide an opinion on the invoice, however the union was an enormous supporter of his 2021 mayoral marketing campaign — giving practically $1.1 million by means of its PAC for TV and digital adverts, data present.

The Resort & Gaming Trades Council declined remark.