Eric Adams Signs Order to Reduce Penalties on Businesses

NEW YORK (VINnews) — This is a rarity. A politician is reducing fines and penalties on city businesses.

Unlike his predecessors who increased fines and used them as a means to boost the city’s income, Mayor Eric Adams is trying to provide relief to small businesses, who have been struggling mightily amid the pandemic.

On Tuesday Adams signed an executive order telling city agencies to decrease regulations to “reduce needless fines and penalties” and also “slash red tape.”

“It will bring relief to our hard-working entrepreneurs,” Adams said, adding, “We’re not going to use the system to fine you to put money in our coffers.”

The order specifically calls out the Department of Sanitation, Department of Buildings, Department of Health and Hygiene, the FDNY and the Department of Consumer Protection. Adams took a jab at them, saying they perform “important functions” but have not been “business-friendly” enough.

Adams added, “If you just open a business, you make a mistake, you should not be hit with a fine that’s going to prevent you from keeping your doors open.”

Specifically, the order forces the agencies to find the 25 violations that are most hurtful to businesses and change them.