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NYC Council meetings, chaptered and linked by time.

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Remarks

Restler: Outdoor dining expansion creates jobs and boosts the economy

New York City Council · Aug 13, 2026 · starts 0:04:20 · 31 sec

Restler cites a Comptroller Lander study finding every restaurant that adds outdoor dining adds a job, and notes the private workforce shrank last year. He frames the legislation as great for restaurants, hospitality workers, and New Yorkers enjoying outdoor meals.

Lincoln Restler

This is great for our economy.

Lincoln Restler

Last year, with the exception of home health aides, the private...

Lincoln Restler

Workforce in New York City actually shrunk.

Lincoln Restler

But Comptroller Lander did a great study that found that

Lincoln Restler

Every restaurant that adds outdoor dining adds a job.

Lincoln Restler

So if we can add thousands of outdoor dining structures across the city, those are thousands of good jobs that New Yorkers can benefit from.

Lincoln Restler

I am thrilled that we are passing this legislation that is great for restaurants, that's great for hospitality workers, but most of all, it's great for all of us to be able to enjoy a meal outside, enjoying the streetscape of New York City.