"do you think the people renting these AirBNB units are contributing more or less than $33 million to the local economy by consuming local goods/services when they stay here?"

You could argue that NJ visitors add revenue to the NYC economy when they ride the PATH into NYC, but that doesn't mean they get to hop the turnstile and ride in for free. Airbnb either needs to change the laws, or abide by them. Rationalizing violations citing the "greater good" won't fly in a city where travel and real estate are such valuable components of the economy.