A Statement from Borough President Fossella on Mayor Adams' “Small Business Forward” Executive Order

"I commend Mayor Eric Adams for his recent executive order. He is now requiring city agencies to scale back on what might be described as the unnecessary harassment of New York’s small businesses. It is refreshing to know that our city is moving in the right direction by aiding these hard-working men and women. Too many businesses have been unexpectedly hit with fines so excessive, often for innocent mistakes, that they have been forced to close their doors.
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Announcements of this nature are what our small business owners want and need to hear. For too many years they have been burdened by overly aggressive enforcement.  By reducing fines, issuing warnings, and allowing for cure periods, our city will no longer impose anti-business rules and regulations. This will allow us to show support of small businesses, not present, as the mayor said, “an obstacle.”

As Staten Island Borough President, I will take this opportunity to assist the mayor by having my staff compile data from our borough’s small businesses about some of the fines they have received.  It is my hope that these examples will underscore the importance of these efforts.

In closing, I am so pleased that Mayor Adams has taken such an important step.  He believes, as I do, that we should promote and support small businesses. This executive order represents a refreshing policy change and a new era of cooperation. 

The mayor is modifying a policy that not only drained them of their dollars, but drained their spirit as well."