REBNY [Hearts] Spitzer

We have a Q-and-A with longtime Real Estate Board of New York President Steven Spinola running in tomorrow's Observer. Among the many topics he discussed in his spacious Lexington Avenue office was the immensely powerful trade group's relationship with Albany as of late. Apparently, things with Governor Eliot Spitzer are particularly rosy:

What’s REBNY’s relationship with the Spitzer administration so far?

Very good. [Governor] Eliot [Spitzer] has reached out to us on different issues to ask our input before making decisions. We appreciate that. His commissioners have been talking to us on various issues, whether that’s on the lack of tax-exempt bonds to build affordable housing to what’s happening in Lower Manhattan. And we’ve worked with him closely on the issue of terrorist insurance, in which [the administration] was helping play a role in trying to shape Washington’s decision on that.

So, the relationship is good. The administration clearly reaches out and talks to people; and that’s all we ask for.

The Observer talked with Governor Spitzer in late December.