Nicole Marcus

Today was one of the most undemocratic displays I have ever witnessed in the City Council. I invoked Rule 7.110 to force a meeting on Ryder’s Law, and then made a motion under Rule 7.100(b) to have the Health Committee vote on scheduling a public hearing so New Yorkers could testify. The Chair shut it down, ignoring the rule that says any member can make that motion. We have worked four years on this bill. Four hearing rooms were filled to capacity with New Yorkers who came to speak. Instead of hearing them out, the Council denied them a voice and hid behind excuses. Even a member of the Committee admitted decisions are made behind closed doors with leadership and special interests, not with the public. 71% of New Yorkers support ending the horse carriage industry. Speaker Adams and Chair Schulman do not want to hear from the public because they do not care what New Yorkers think. I will not let this stand. New Yorkers deserve transparency, debate, and a Council that listens to them, not a Council that silences them.

Well done Italy