Council Member De La Rosa explains vote on horse carriage bill

De La Rosa.

Permission to explain my vote?

Permission granted.

Thank you.

Well, I have to disclose that the Department of Education is on the agenda on the transparency resolution.

My daughter is associated with the Department of Education.

As the former chair of the Labor Committee in this body and as someone who has been in elected office for 10 years next year,

in 2027, I've spent most of my public service fighting for workers'rights, and that commitment weighs heavy on me today.

But that commitment is also not to be questioned.

I would not allow anyone to question my commitment to the workers of our city.

So today, I am voting in favor of Intro 943 with the confidence

that we will ensure that workers will be protected and that there is a just transition that will be prioritized and that the safety and the rights of animals will also be ensured by this vote.

Because we can do all those things at once.

After decades of debate and advocacy and hearings, the status quo is not serving anyone anymore.

In June,

18-year-old tourist Romach Mahajan lost his life, and that is something that should bring pause to everyone.

Each incident endangers animals.

the public workers whose lives depend on this industry.

And tensions are high on every side of this issue, but delays serve none of us.

I support this legislation, and I know and do not take lightly what it means to close this chapter.

But there is a genuine commitment from the people in this room to make sure that the livelihoods of those impacted

are prioritized.

Carriage drivers have built their lives on years of experience, specialized skills, and relationship with customers.

Many have paid out of pocket for medallions and equipment, and they are workers of our city, and they deserve to be treated as partners in this transition.

We are committed to that.

I want to thank Chair Shulman, Speaker Menon,

and all of our colleagues who have listened to the debate and come up with a fair and balanced solution.

Protecting workers and protecting animals are not competing values, and today we choose to do both.

I also want to take a moment to thank Sandy Nurse for her courage, for her conviction,

for her balanced approach to ensuring that we are making a dent in the housing crisis.

Thank you, and I proudly vote aye on all.