Council passes bills to forgive outdated fines
Excessive fines, 'red tape' often hurt companies
The City Council on Thursday passed two bills that are designed to help relieve restaurants and mom-and-pop stores by restructuring the penalty system that hits them with onerous fines, City Council Speaker Corey Johnson confirmed.
Randy Peers, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, said. “Small businesses have suffered tremendously for 16 months following the financial fallout caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. These locally owned businesses provide essential services and create jobs in our communities, and legislation to reduce or eliminate fines to ensure their recovery is critically important.
“We urge Mayor de Blasio to sign the bill into law immediately, and look forward to working with the next mayor to continue improving conditions for the city’s small business community,” he added.