Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
Coverage of Department of Consumer and Worker Protection in the Nexus archive.
- Business coalition opposes NYC Council last-mile delivery legislation
A business coalition, including Amazon and FedEx, opposes a NYC Council bill (Intro 518) requiring licenses for last-mile delivery warehouses. Campaign finance disclosures reveal $5.5 million raised against the legislation. Opponents argue the bill could harm businesses, workers, and consumers, citing 10,000 jobs at risk.
- Judge Blocks Law Made to Protect App Drivers From Abrupt, Unexplained Firings
A Manhattan judge blocked a New York City law (Local Law 52) aimed at protecting Uber and Lyft drivers from sudden deactivation, citing potential safety concerns. The law required 14 days’ notice and an appeals process for drivers, but Uber and Lyft argued it could hinder safety measures. The city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection and Councilmember Shekar Krishnan oppose the injunction.
- Speaker Menin says worker safeguards in horse carriage ban bill must be ‘beefed up’
City Council Speaker Julie Menin says the horse carriage ban bill, Romanch's Law, needs stronger job protections for industry workers. The bill, which aims to transition carriage workers to other employment, faces opposition from the Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100, which calls for extensive worker consultations before implementing retraining programs.
- Horse carriage ban bill: Raw emotions at City Council during hearing on ‘Romanch’s Law’ to prohibit hansom cab rides in Central Park
A City Council hearing on Romanch’s Law, a bill to ban horse carriages in Central Park following a teen's death, saw emotional testimony and support from Council Speaker Julie Menin. The legislation, with 26 co-sponsors, aims to phase out licenses by 2028 and includes retraining for drivers, though Mayor Zohran Mamdani urged stronger retraining provisions.
- ‘Neigh!’ to Central Park horse carriages: City Council Speaker Menin backs Romanch’s Law to ban controversial industry ahead of hearing
City Council Speaker Julie Menin announced support for Romanch’s Law, a proposed ban on horse-drawn carriages in Central Park, following the death of 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan. The legislation aims to phase out the industry by ending new licenses and providing job retraining for drivers.
- Mamdani takes City Hall tech for a spin with five new ‘PIT crews’ to improve digital tools
Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced five 'PIT Crews' to accelerate the development of government technology, starting with an online portal to enforce the city's Click to Cancel protections. The initiative, funded by $5.24 million in city funds and the Rockefeller Foundation, aims to transition policy ideas into functional tools within months rather than years.
- Broker Fee Law’s First Year: Complaints, Violations and Uphill Climb to Recoup for Tenants
New York City's FARE Act, which requires landlords to pay broker fees, has led to over 2,000 complaints and 74 summonses in its first year, with $15,000 in refunds awarded to tenants. The law allows tenants to report illegal fees, but enforcement challenges persist as landlords and brokers face violations.
- NYC Council ‘concerned’ its worker protection laws are toothless unless Mamdani pumps more money into agency responsible for enforcing them
The NYC Council urged Mayor Zohran Mamdani to allocate an additional $32 million to the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) to ensure effective enforcement of worker protection laws. The council argues that the current budget, $78.4 million, is insufficient, while DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine claims the existing funding is adequate. Council Speaker Julie Menin expressed concerns about staffing and the agency's ability to handle its oversight responsibilities.