Statement From Mayor Bill de Blasio and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito

February 4, 2016

Statement from Mayor de Blasio:

“We negotiated in good faith with the City Council and the Teamsters to reach this agreement. The terms of that agreement have not changed during these past weeks, but today the Teamsters decided to back away from the fair compromise they had previously endorsed. While we are disappointed this bill will no longer be considered Friday, the people of this city know what I believe, and we will work toward a new path on this issue.”

Statement from Speaker Mark-Viverito:

“Intro. 573-B was negotiated in good faith and was contingent on an agreement between the Administration, the Teamsters and the City Council. The Council will not vote on any horse carriage related legislation on Friday since the Teamsters no longer support the deal.”

Background

The Council had sufficient votes to pass the legislation, but will not be moving it because the legislation was predicated on the agreement.