Council Member Epstein speaks on horse carriage bill, COPA, and SCRI/DRI

Councilmember Epstein, followed by Pierina Sanchez.

Thank you, Majority Leader.

I want to thank the Romach family for being here.

I want to thank Councilmember Marte for his leadership and Speaker Menon for bringing this before us.

19 years later, we are finally doing something about the horse carriage industry.

An outdated industry like so many before.

I think about my grandma who used to deliver milk in this city.

Well, a great job in Brooklyn, no longer a job that we need today.

It is not a viable industry.

You know, I've been to the stables.

I've seen how the horses are treated.

I see how they walk through New York.

I know this industry must end.

Mr.

Chair of our newly created Animal Welfare Caucus, I stand together with the members of so many organizations who fought for this moment.

Organizations like Night Class and VSFAR and ASPCA and PETA, Humane World, All Def, Alley Towel from the Man's Office, all these people came together around us to say this is a critical moment for all of us to stand together

to say this is our time.

I also want to talk about two other important pieces of legislation we're talking about today.

COPA, you know, and Council Member Nurse, thank you for your work to get this over the finish line.

Really, mission-driven nonprofits, talk about affordable housing, are going to be able to have the opportunity to purchase these properties in our districts.

This is going to be an amazing change to make sure these...

mission-driven organizations in dealing with really distressed properties have the opportunity to make these home

permanent for our families.

Again, this work wouldn't be possible without the continued effort by Councilmember Nurse and Speaker Menon.

And finally, you know, for decades we talked about the struggle over screen injury, people not being able to continue to live in this city.

And today we are saying we're increasing the cap to 75,000.

That means the tens of thousands of New Yorkers who may not be able to first grade or tree will be able to remain in their homes.

That is a game changer, and I'm proud to stand here with this council.

We do so many pieces of legislation.

Thank you, Council Member.

Council Member Bank, Camilla Hanks, my apologies, and Council Member Gennaro.

It is actually Councilmember Banks, followed by Gennaro.

No, I'll forego my speaking.

I'll speak during my vote.

Thank you.

All right, no problem.

Appreciate you.

Councilmember Gennaro, followed by Brooks Powers.

I don't see Councilmember Gennaro here.

Councilmember Brooks-Powers.

We'll bring him back.