De La Rosa explains vote in favor and calls for worker transition plan
Council Member Carmen De La Rosa asks to explain her vote and says after decades of discussion it is time for legislative action. She votes in favor but insists the phase-out include a responsible transition plan for workers, including sanctuary retirement, medallion buybacks, upskilling, and addressing worker-identified gaps.
De La Rosa.
Permission to explain my vote?
Permission granted.
For almost a decade as a public elected official, I have prided myself on being a champion for workers'rights and worker protection, and that job does not stop today.
But today, after decades of discussion, concern, advocacy, countless hearings, it's time for this body to take legislative action.
However, I want to be very clear that while today I am voting in favor of Intro 943, we must engage in good faith with the workers and union leaders after today's vote.
This phase-out must be accompanied by a responsible transition plan for workers who
whose livelihoods depend on this industry.
This could include relocating the horses to safer space and sanctuaries to retire,
buying back medallions that many workers have paid for over the years, and figuring out what to do with equipment bought, upskilling of these workers, as well as accommodating the gaps that the workers continue to identify.
These workers built a livelihood over the years, an experience that has brought our city tourism and has brought our city an experience that many will remember.
However, today, this vote will end this industry, and we must acknowledge the responsibility that we hold as a council to redefine and reimagine what our city will look like in the future.
I want to also say clearly that my votes have never been about not caring for the animals that are in the industry.
They center around workers'rights.
And today, I vote in favor of this bill, and I want to thank the chair for her leadership, as well as my colleagues, for continuing the conversation.
Thank you.