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May 20, 2020

How Should Co-Ops, Condos and Office Buildings Adjust To New York’s Social Distancing Guidelines?

NY Executive Order

On April 25, 2020, Governor Cuomo promulgated Executive Order 202.17, which requires any individual over the age of two (and able to medically tolerate a face-covering) to cover their nose and mouth with a mask or cloth face-covering when in a public place and unable to maintain social distance. For condominiums, cooperatives, and commercial office buildings, the concern is whether the lobby, laundry room, bathroom, and other common areas are considered “public places” where individuals are required to wear face-coverings. There is no official definition of “public space” within any of the executive orders, and therefore, the applicability of Executive… Read more


Sep 27, 2017

President Trump’s Buy American and Hire American Order

Made in USA - Buy American

On April 18, 2017, President Donald Trump issued an Executive Order (the “Order”) entitled “Buy American and Hire American,”[1] intended to, among other things, strengthen public procurement policies promoting domestic preferences for construction materials used on public projects. Technically, the Order does not make or change any existing law.  Rather, it establishes “the policy of the executive branch to maximize, consistent with the law . . . the use of goods, products and materials produced in the United States.” By issuing the Order, President Trump has sent a clear message that his administration will seek broader enforcement of federal procurement… Read more


Mar 9, 2017

President Trump Issues Executive Order Regarding Waters of the U.S. Rule

Waters of the United States (WOTUS) Rule

President Donald Trump on February 28, 2017, issued an Executive Order directing review and revision or rescission of the “Clean Water Rule: Definition of ‘Waters of the United States,’” 80 Fed. Reg. 37054 (June 29, 2015).  The Rule defines what “waters of the United States” are under the federal Clean Water Act for permitting purposes.  Numerous states and other organizations had filed lawsuits challenging the Rule issued by the U.S. EPA during the President Obama administration and the Rule is currently stayed pending those legal challenges.  Immediately following the Executive Order, the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers provided… Read more