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Remarks

Ariola explains vote on 955A Red Tape Relief Act for small businesses

New York City Council · Jul 16, 2026 · starts 1:18:21 · 3 min 40 sec

Council Member Joann Ariola, in a second explanation, celebrates Intro 955A as a big win for small business owners who are the backbone of NYC's economy. She describes how the bill coordinates inspections and plan reviews across agencies, cites the prior New Business Acceleration Team model, and notes the bill requires public reporting for accountability. She votes aye on all except 983A.

Shaun Abreu

Joann.

Joann Ariola

For the record, my kids, my two kids go to public school, which we're funding in New York City.

Joann Ariola

And also, I want to have permission to explain my vote.

Shaun Abreu

Permission granted.

Joann Ariola

First of all, I want to congratulate to Paris and also

Joann Ariola

congratulate to our small business owners because today we are voting on a bill, intro 955A, the Ray Tape Relief Act.

Joann Ariola

That's a big win for our small business owners because

Joann Ariola

First of all, they are the backbone of New York City's economics.

Joann Ariola

They create jobs, strengthen our neighborhood, and they represent the dream of hardworking families.

Joann Ariola

But too many regulations, too many permits they have to get before they get that door open, even make a penny.

Joann Ariola

Before they make any penny.

Joann Ariola

So this bill in 955A will offer a particular solution.

Joann Ariola

It requires the city agency to coordinate inspections and the plan review instead of making business owners navigate one agency after another.

Joann Ariola

We know this approach works.

Joann Ariola

Works because New York City

Joann Ariola

have done it before through new business acceleration team, which helped the business open faster by improving coordination cross agency.

Joann Ariola

Intro 955A also ensure accountability.

Joann Ariola

This legislation requires public

Joann Ariola

reporting so we can measure whether this program is actually reducing the delay and helping business success.

Joann Ariola

And also I want to thank our speaker and a lot of colleagues helped me to work on this bill and support this bill.

Joann Ariola

Our job is to make sure the government is more efficient and also make our small business owners'life easier.

Joann Ariola

So I want to thank everyone who votes yes on this bill.

Joann Ariola

And also I will vote yes on the bill.

Joann Ariola

I vote aye on all except the intro 983A, which is no.

Shaun Abreu

Thank you, Councilmember.

Shaun Abreu

Carr.

David M. Carr

Thank you.

David M. Carr

I'd like to second the comments of colleagues in support of our EMTs, and I vote aye on all with the exception of introductions 972 and 983A, on which I vote no.

Shaun Abreu

Abrayu.

Shaun Abreu

Aye.

Shaun Abreu

Speaker Menon.

Julie Menin

I vote aye on all except pre-considered interim 983A on which I abstain.