Council Member Wilson supports horse carriage ban and COPA

Council Member Wilson.

Permission to explain my vote.

Permission granted.

Thank you, Majority Leader.

I want to once again voice my strong support for Intro 943A.

I live near the stables in Hell's Kitchen.

I have seen the consequences of the industry on the streets.

Horses limping and collapsing, carriages involved in dangerous accidents, workers put at risk, and pedestrians and park goers endangered.

These are warning signs we can no longer ignore.

New York City is one of the busiest, most congested cities in the world.

Our streets and parks are not fit for horses to navigate amid traffic, construction, crowds, and the constant noise of city life.

This legislation is about public safety, it's about animal welfare, and it's about finding a path forward for these horses as well as the carriage drivers.

I look forward to seeing Ramach's law passed and implemented with efficacy and empathy, and I want to thank Speaker Menon, the speaker who got it done on a very tough bill.

And I also want to say kudos to all the advocates for their longstanding effort, Councilmember Marte for carrying the bill and for Chair Shulman for getting this over the finish line.

And I want to pay special tribute to the Mahajan family who has taken unimaginable grief and turned it into determined advocacy.

We stand with you today and we will forever remember Ramach.

And then I'd also like to voice my support for COPA.

Councilmember Nurse and her team have shown vision.

and tenacity on this endeavor, and I'm proud to assist their housing affordability efforts with my co-sponsorship and vote in favor.

So horses may neigh, but I vote aye on all.

One.