Powers Introduces Bill to Suspend Commerical Rent Tax
Yesterday, Councilmember Keith Powers (D-Carnegie Hill, Yorkville) introduced legislation to repeal the commercial rent tax for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the pandemic began, small businesses have found it more and more difficult to make ends meet. Powers’s bill would provide relief to roughly 5,500 Manhattan businesses with annual base rents of less than $1 million.
“This is money back in the hands of small business owners,” said Powers. “Right now, New York City is experiencing a state of emergency and our response to help businesses recover must be commensurate. Relieving payment of the commercial rent tax at this time is a tangible benefit for businesses.”
Stringer Applauds De Blasio for Appointment of Chief Diversity Officers
City Comptroller Scott Stringer (D) released a statement yesterday after Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) signed an executive order to appoint Chief Diversity Officers (CDOs) to City agencies.
The primary role of a CDO is to cultivate diversity and inclusion within an organization’s workforce. De Blasio’s executive order includes several provisions to help minority and women-owned businesses (M/WBEs), including the appointment of a CDO to all City agencies.
“As we rebuild our economy after the devastation of COVID-19, the work of a CDO is needed more than ever,” said Stringer. According to a survey by my office, 85 percent of City-certified M/WBEs report they cannot survive the next six months given their current cash on hand. New York City agencies spend almost $20 billion a year on everything from pens and paper to consulting services and construction, yet less than 5 percent of those contracts are awarded to M/WBEs. We must ensure that our recovery represents the full diversity of our city, our economy, and its people. Eighty percent of New Yorkers are either women or people of color and more than 600 languages are spoken on our streets; this city should never settle for an exclusionary status quo.”
Cuomo Suspends Liquor Licenses for 12 NYC Bars
Yesterday, Governor Andrew Cuomo (D) announced the suspension of liquor licenses for 12 New York City bars for violations of COVID-related Executive Orders.
Last Monday, New York’s multi-agency task force, led by the State Police and State Liquor Authority, conducted 1,300 compliance checks throughout the State. During the check, they found 26 instances of NYC bars failing to enforce guidelines related to social distancing and facial coverings. Of those violations, 12 were egregious enough to merit the suspension of the institution’s liquor license.
“New Yorkers have worked hard to flatten the curve, but the bars and restaurants that ignore public health guidance are disrespecting their sacrifices which have saved lives while allowing us to sustain the reopening of our economy,” Cuomo said. “Local governments must enforce the law, but the task force has stepped up its efforts and with these additional suspensions we are sending a clear message that the State will not hesitate to take action against businesses that put New Yorkers’ health and safety at risk.”
Espaillat Commends Revel for Suspending Moped Services in NYC
Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan, Bronx) released a statement after Revel announced it will suspend its electric moped-sharing service in New York.
For the past few weeks, Espaillat had pressured them to suspend the service in the wake of several deaths and severe injuries.
“Like so many others, I am relieved that Revel suspended service and acknowledged that its standards for operational safety, customer training, and rider accountability fall short of protecting the public health and safety of New Yorkers,” said Espaillat. “That said, it should not have taken two deaths and a barrage of other troubling incidents – including one that left a constituent of mine in critical condition –for Revel to take this necessary action.
“Nonetheless, there should now be a concerted effort with city officials and the input of key community stakeholders, to ensure the safety of Revel users and others on our streets before the company restores operations in our city. New York has and always will be a center for innovation, especially in the transportation space, but that cannot come at the expense of our safety.”
