Wilbur Ross says New York’s pied-à-terre tax targets people who ‘can’t retaliate at the ballot box’

Former Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has filed a lawsuit against New York State, arguing that the city's new pied-à-terre tax is unconstitutional. The tax, which targets luxury second homes, is seen as an attempt to avoid voter retribution through ballot box actions. Ross, along with his wife, Hilary Geary Ross, and casino developer Steve Wynn, are Florida residents who own Manhattan apartments and are being billed by the city's Department of Finance.

The lawsuit argues that the surcharge is a property tax that violates the state constitution, claiming that the constitution caps how much the city can raise through real-estate taxes, and that the new law effectively circumvents this cap. Additionally, the complaint argues that the tax discriminates against out-of-state residents, violating the U.S. Constitution's Privileges and Immunities, Commerce, and Equal Protection clauses.