Our new code transparency is good for business
Bronx: NYC’s small businesses are the backbone of our neighborhoods, and they deserve to focus on what matters most to them: serving our communities. But for too long, they’ve been weighed down by a system of city fines that is confusing, inconsistent and often feels like an unfair distraction.
Fortunately, the City Council passed an important piece of legislation last week: Intro 1132, which will bring much-needed transparency and education to these job creators. The new law will require the Department of Small Business Services to collect and publish information on fines issued to small businesses, letting us track which types of violations are most common, where they occur and which industries are most affected.
This will give NYC clear, accessible data to help identify patterns and make sure enforcement is fair and transparent. Most importantly, that data will be actionable. It will help guide smarter policymaking by enabling City Hall, local chambers of commerce and small business advocates to develop targeted outreach and compliance programs that prevent violations before they happen.
This is a win for fairness, transparency and our economy. By giving small businesses the information and support they need, we’re helping them navigate NYC’s regulatory system to ensure that every business can thrive while every code is followed. We’re grateful to all the local business leaders who rallied behind this legislation, uniting voices from every borough in support of common-sense reform. Councilmember Oswald Feliz, District 15, and Lisa Sorin, president, Bronx Chamber of Commerce
Shutdown letdown
Greenburgh, N.Y.: The president, vice president, members of the cabinet and all members of the Senate and House of Representatives are responsible for providing taxpayers with a service — a government. Inasmuch as they have failed to keep government services operating, they should receive no pay for the period of time that the federal government has been shut down. They have failed the American people. Some members of Congress are voluntarily agreeing to defer their pay until the government reopens, and then they will receive their full compensation. That’s not good enough. They don’t deserve a penny for their failure to provide us with vital services, and their annual salary should be lowered. Paul Feiner
In lockstep
Brooklyn: The Daily News editorial (“SNAP out of it,” Oct. 31) characterizes the government shutdown as the fault of Republicans, when in truth it’s actually the Democrats who are holding up any funding measures. This blind loyalty to one party or the other that runs rampant through our news organizations has led to single-party democracy in many large cities. In the case of our town — excluding the 20 years of Republican rule — it always seems to come down to which Democrat will screw up the city the least. Usually, getting 45% of the vote goes down as a solid thrashing, but in the case of New York, as well as many other one-party towns, that’s enough for a win. Jack Flynn
Away on vacay
Ridgewood: In the past, when there was a possibility of a government shutdown or there was a shutdown, the president got both parties together to come to a compromise. So far, President Trump has gotten the parties together for only one hour in 32 days. The House has been on vacation for more than a month, so no compromise can be reached when one party refuses to show up. Based on this, whose fault is the shutdown? Republicans, get your act together. John Sendlein
Going hungry
Hallandale Beach, Fla.: More than 47 million Americans, including one in five children, don’t have reliable, affordable access to nutritious food. And as the cost of living skyrockets, more families are depending on SNAP benefits, or food stamps, to put food on the table. Paul Bacon
Unresponsive ruler
Wimauma, Fla.: I hope inflation is not hurting Blondie, Dagwood and the family household. Just wondering, with Blondie’s business appearing to do well and Dagwood’s job (although he seems to never get a raise), why can’t they afford to purchase reclining sofa chairs? Unfortunately, the middle and lower classes get “Donalded” again and again. Great move that this selfish man can go on vacation to Florida while the government shutdown continues. He has no compassion, no sense of decency and is all for himself. We are stuck with this man for another three-plus years. What a sad state of affairs. Joseph Cardinale
Had enough?
Brooklyn: We have all been victimized by Andy Cuomo! So who in their right mind wants more of the same? Here’s a reminder of what went on with this scuzzball ruling us before. As governor, Cuomo: 1) stole half a billion dollars from the MTA, causing two separate fare hikes; 2) defunded Medicaid by $2 billion, strategically hurting the poor who already have inadequate health care; 3) refused $6 billion in federal aid to help N.Y. combat COVID while thousands died weekly; 4) stirred up teen crime and violence by showing them they would no longer be charged as adults if they were under the age 18; 5) made a laughing stock of our judicial system by ruling against bail for criminals! As a native New Yorker, I can’t understand why anyone loving this city and their neighbors would vote for Cuomo, a mini-Trump! Evan Payson
Pervert princes
Bronx: Andrew, the former Duke of York, was just stripped of his princely title by King Charles. It has something to do with alleged sexual misconduct. New York City voters will now decide the fate of another Andrew, whose mistreatment of women has besmirched the Cuomo throne. Fred Smith
We all pay
Glendale: A word of advice to all of the middle-class voters out there: When the government (or Zohran Mamdani) says something is free, just remember that it’s too expensive for me (and you)! Thomas Murawski
True time
Malverne, L.I.: I can’t believe we have to go through this biannual event of moving the time. What in the world is the West gaining? Geographically, from Mexico to Central and South America, all of Africa except Egypt, the Middle East, Russia, through subcontinental Asia to the Far East and most of Australia don’t adhere to this 20th-century concept. If most of the world’s population adheres to one time, why doesn’t the West get with it and keep the clocks on Standard Time? The time we are entering this weekend is the true time. Look up at the sky at noon and the sun is at its highest point. Kosmas Patikoglou
Legislative lackeys
Fort Worth, Texas: I don’t blame Trump for trying to overturn our democracy on Jan. 6, for removing environmental protections of our air, water and endangered species, for redistricting Texas, for leaving millions of Americans without health care or food assistance, for ignoring daily mass murders, for alienating most of our allies, for removing the East Wing of the White House, for sending masked ICE agents to arrest men, women and children, for killing 57 men on boats in the Caribbean, or for imposing tariffs that have made food, housing and health care unaffordable. I do blame the lily-livered Republican cowards in Congress who are apparently so terrified of Trump’s vengeance that they are willing to ignore the suffering of their own constituents and instead stand by silently as that would-be dictator systematically destroys our democracy and turns our country into a fascist police state. Sharon Austry
Just him?
Huntington, L.I.: Voicer Clyde Kerlew states that Letitia James’ civil suit was entirely justified. The case was clearly politically motivated. Does the Voicer believe that Trump was the only businessperson in all of New York who has inflated the value of his assets? I’m sure that James searched high and low to find even a single businessperson not named Trump to charge with a similar crime. After her vigorous search, she could not find a single case of similar civil fraud in all of the state. I’m certain she will continue scouring the Earth until she finds someone else to bring such a case against. Tom Saracco
