NEW YORK (PIX11) — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and City Council Speaker Julie Menin struck a deal that will abolish the city’s controversial horse carriage industry, according to sources.
Sources confirmed that the mayor agreed to back a bill that will be voted on next week, as first reported by Politico. Menin will bring the bill up for a vote on Oct. 22, according to her office.
“Horse-drawn carriages have long been part of New York City’s history, but in an increasingly busy Central Park, this tradition has become a growing public safety liability. Next week, the Council will take decisive action by voting on Romanch’s Law to protect New Yorkers, visitors, and the horses themselves,” Menin said in a statement sent to PIX11 News.
On social media, Mamdani said: “The horse carriage industry is coming to an end in New York City. Our administration will make sure workers and owners are protected and the horses are safe.”
Council member Christopher Marte, the bill’s prime sponsor, said he is “ready to get Romach’s Law across the finish line … and finally bring this unsafe and outdated industry to an end” in a statement following the announcement.
Sources said the bill “has a number of notable changes compared to the current version, including a lengthy basis for an industry transition framework — potentially including job placement, training, career counseling, and financial compensation.”
The bill, reviewed by PIX11, said all licensed owners of carriage horses must certify to the city that they won’t violate the rules by March 1, 2027.
According to the proposal, horse-drawn carriage businesses would be banned starting June 1, 2028.
“No person shall use a horse, or offer such horse for use of the public, for the purpose of drawing a horse drawn vehicle or for use in the operation of a horse drawn vehicle for hire, such as a horse drawn cab,” the proposal reads.
The Transport Workers Union’s international president, John Samuelsen, says the bill has “no meaningful economic relief” for the carriage horse owners and workers.
Samuelsen emphasized the verbiage within the bill that only asks the city to “consider” financial compensation for the owners and workers who will, effectively, lose their jobs once June 1, 2028, hits.
“Council Speaker Menin used the tragic death of a tourist to contrive a public safety crisis. This is disgraceful political opportunism, and Zohran should not simply go along with it, particularly when immigrant families’ livelihoods are being destroyed. This entire situation is reprehensible,” Samuelsen’s statement read.
