Commissioner Levine on DCWP mission and consumer protections
Levine describes DCWP as the nation's leading municipal enforcement agency, highlighting consumer protection law, protected time-off, fair work week, delivery worker laws, and licensing of 45,000 businesses.
Well, thank you, Speaker Menon, Chair Lee, Chair Epstein, and members of the Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection.
I'm Sam Levine, Commissioner of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.
Today, I'm joined by our General Counsel, Michael Tiger, our Chief of Staff, Carlos Ortiz, and our Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Labor Policy and Standards, Elizabeth Wagoner.
Thank you for the opportunity to be here today before this committee to testify on the work of our agency and our executive budget for fiscal year 2027.
DCWP is the nation's leading municipal enforcement agency charged with delivering economic justice.
We leverage our authority to bring New Yorkers real economic relief and protect them from predatory, deceptive, and unconscionable practices that violate their rights as consumers and as workers.
This includes pioneering cutting-edge protections such as the city's consumer protection law, protected time-off law, fair work week law, and delivery worker laws, including the minimum pay rate for delivery workers.
Through licensing more than 45,000 businesses in over 45 industries, DCWP ensures fair competition and a level playing field for responsible small businesses
that are integral to New York City's vibrant communities.
DCWP also provides essential services such as free tax preparation for individuals and families,
as well as tax prep services for self-employed workers and small businesses, and one-on-one financial counseling to ensure New Yorkers keep more of what they earn and can plan for their futures.
Though it's been just sort of six months under my tenure, it's been a privilege to serve as the commissioner of DCWP, an agency that champions millions of consumers, workers, and families across the city day after day.
Today I'll provide the committee with an overview of the executive budget for FY27, the work of our agency, and our path forward in continuing to build a fairer and more affordable city for all New Yorkers under Mayor Mamdani's administration.
Starting with our budget.