Chair Schulman on transition responsibilities and decorum
Schulman emphasizes the need to protect both horses and workers, calls for civil proceedings, and thanks committee staff and her team for their extensive preparation.
Last month's devastating tragedy has forced us to confront these concerns in a new light and consider whether it is time for a new path forward.
As we consider the future of this industry, we must carefully examine what a responsible transition would require, both for the horses and for the people whose livelihoods depend on this work.
We must consider how to protect the horses by placing them in safe and caring homes.
We must also recognize the drivers and workers who have devoted years, and in some cases generations, to this industry, as well as the significant investments they have made in their carriage licenses.
We must consider how to provide drivers with meaningful opportunities for new employment.
My hope is that we can bring people together around these shared responsibilities.
I know emotions are running high today on all sides of this issue, and I want to conclude by reminding everyone that although there may be strong opinions on this legislation and on the future of this industry, we must maintain a civil and respectful proceeding.
The purpose of this hearing is to ensure that all voices and all perspectives can be heard today.
We must maintain decorum throughout the proceedings.
I would also like to thank the representatives for the administration for being here.
I want to thank the committee staff, and I want to make mention the committee staff has worked an enormous amount of hours and an enormous amount of days and worked really hard on this, and so I really want to thank them from the bottom of my heart.
Chris Pepe, Josh Newman, Elizabeth Art for their hard work in preparing for this hearing, as well as my team, Jonathan Boucher, Kevin McAleer, and Sammy New.
Before I hand it over to Councilmember Marte for a brief statement on his legislation, I want to...
I want to let people know that you can request translation in the following languages, Spanish, Hindi, Tajik, Turkish, and Russian.
So if anybody needs anything, please let the sergeants know.
Now I will turn it over to Councilmember Marte for a brief statement on his legislation.