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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Nishat Tabassum, Representative from Make the Road New York
3:42:55
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175 sec
Nishat Tabassum, representing Make the Road New York, testifies in support of proposed legislation to reform street vending regulations in New York City. She emphasizes the need for a predictable, well-regulated system that prioritizes education over punitive action for vendors, many of whom are immigrants and working-class New Yorkers.
- Commends Council Member Sanchez for leadership on the bills and recognizes the compromise reached between various stakeholders
- Highlights the current system as chaotic and over-policed, particularly impacting vulnerable immigrant communities
- Urges the inclusion of proposed amendments that add common-sense enforcement provisions to the bill
Nishat Tabassum
3:42:55
Hi.
3:42:55
Good afternoon.
3:42:56
My name is Nisha Tabasum, and I'm sharing this testimony on behalf of Make the Road and Daniel Quotes, is the director of public affairs.
3:43:03
On behalf of 28,000 members, I thank the committee for the opportunity to testify.
3:43:08
Make the Road works to build the power of immigrant and working class New Yorkers and reaches thousands of New Yorkers per year with our legal and survival services, including legal services and outreach for low wage workers.
3:43:19
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
3:43:21
I want to thank council member Sanchez for her leadership on these bills, as well as majority leader Farias, council member Krishan, council member Menon, and speaker Adams for moving this issue forward.
3:43:31
The issues that plague street vendors today are not new, and much has been done over the years to attempt to address this thorny problem of licenses and compliance.
3:43:40
But there are some common sense solutions that are within our grasp if we can take advantage of the progress that has been made.
3:43:46
Like immigration reform at the federal level, we live in a situation where all sides agree that the system we have is broken.
3:43:53
And like immigration reform, there is a consensus in the middle about steps that can be taken to recognize the reality, that there will always be street vendors and basic dignity, that vendors deserve respect and support as entrepreneurs trying to support their families.
3:44:09
The trick is always is can be is the legislative needle that needs to be threaded to find a compromise that everyone can live with.
3:44:17
In this case, it seems that we have arrived at one.
3:44:19
I want to recognize the street vendor project for their amazing leadership on this bill and also come commend the brick and mortars and business associations who are at the table working through the thorny details.
3:44:30
The status quo does not work.
3:44:31
It is chaotic, and vendors, despite being one of the city's more vulnerable populations, are heavily over policed in a moment when immigrant communities are under relentless attacks.
3:44:41
Many of Make the Road's members are vendors, and you heard from some of them today.
3:44:45
And we agree with Street Vendor Project when we say that a predictable, well regulated system that prioritizes education over punitive action is one that everyone can support.
3:44:55
These are the kinds of problems that we need legislative bodies to address.
3:44:58
Legislators are meant to take clear problems, understand them, and develop policies and solutions.
3:45:04
We understand that after meeting with a range of stakeholders, council member Sanchez has proposed a thoughtful set of amendments to the bill that would add common sense enforcement provisions.
3:45:12
We urge speaker Adams to include these amendments as the bill moves forward after this hearing.
3:45:16
The nature of legislating is compromised, I think we have that here.
3:45:20
Under this speaker, there have been many conversations, we have bills here that, while certainly not perfect for either side, get the core components done.
3:45:28
We can still tackle hard things in New York.
3:45:30
It might seem like we're far from the end, but we are close.
3:45:33
Vendors are a part of New York City's lifeblood, and the truth is that they're they will be they will be whether we pass this legislation or not.
3:45:40
So let's do it.
3:45:41
Let's update our rules, create a system that fits the current moment, and show the rest of the country that New York City supports immigrant entrepreneurs in a moment when so much is stacked against them.
3:45:50
Thank you.