In Sahalie Donaldson’s recent City & State article, “New Yorkers don’t care.” Is the real estate pledge dead in NYC politics?, Sherwin Belkin, co-founding partner of Belkin Burden Goldman LLP, shared insights on the changing attitudes toward the real estate industry in New York City politics.
As quoted:
“The fact that the industry is demonized and used as a whipping boy to try to derive votes, I think at the end of the day has very negative ramifications for the city. Its tax revenues are vitally needed, its ability to build and house New Yorkers is vitally needed, yet setting this industry up as this evil entity that must be opposed is foolish from the outset.”
The article explores how real estate donations, once a litmus test for progressive candidates to reject, are no longer as politically charged in NYC’s evolving political landscape.