Speaker Menin on history of horse carriage debate and worker protections

This issue is not new to our city.

It's certainly not new to city government.

There are many people who are in these chambers who've been working on this issue for many, many years, but it has never come to fruition.

The matter of horse carriages or maintenance or safety and operation has come up under previous mayors and previous city councils every year for almost four decades.

The time to act is now.

This is not a simple issue because this industry is historically and culturally significant.

For years, horse carriages have been synonymous with our iconic world-class tourism.

The rides they provide have given visitors an opportunity to slow down and take in the sights of our city.

And they have given hundreds of hardworking immigrant New Yorkers the dignity of a good-paying job.

These are drivers who care deeply for their horses and who take the safety of their passengers and passengers.

pedestrians extremely seriously.

I do not take these considerations lightly.

Anytime there is possibility of ending an industry, the possibility of job losses for small business owners and employees, we obviously need to think carefully about that.

I'm a former small business owner myself.

I understand the challenges and burdens of operating and working for one.

So I'm committing here today that we are going to chart a path forward to protect the workers and ensure that they have good paying jobs moving forward,

whether it be in the hospitality or tourism or other industry.

We know that you are a vital thread of the fabric of this city and we will not exclude you from this conversation.

I'm also very committed to ensuring that horses involved are treated fairly and compassionately.

And we will ensure through this bill that we will guarantee their safety and well-being as well.