Gov ‘Airs’ it out

Inks curb on apt.-share biz, which then sues

AIRBNB OPPONENTS took a victory lap after Gov. Cuomo signed a hotly debated law to crack down on the home-sharing site and called on the company to drop a lawsuit it filed to stop the legislation.

“This attempt to bully the state and the city with a lawsuit is disgraceful,” Assemblywoman Deborah Glick (D-Manhattan) said at a rally Tuesday at City Hall.

The new law imposes fines of up to $7,500 per violation for advertising units that run afoul of a 2010 law making it illegal to rent out an entire apartment for less than 30 days.

“I’ve never been so happy to see an organization lose,” said Councilman Jumaane Williams (D-Brooklyn).

After Cuomo signed the first-in-thenation law, capping a fierce battle in Albany, the company quickly filed a suit in Manhattan Federal Court.

It argues the measure is unconstitutional.

“Airbnb hired almost every lobbyist in Albany,” said Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan), who sponsored the measure. “Airbnb is . . . spending millions of dollars on this frivolous lawsuit, making it clear to anyone paying attention that they care more about their bottom line than about protecting tenants and affordable housing.” Airbnb spokesman Peter Schottenfels blasted the rally.

“Today’s rally was a charade for the hotel cartel who just last week were celebrating this law as a boost to their ability to price gouge,” he said.