Friend,

This past week, I had the opportunity to join 300+ street vendors and supporters in Times Square to legalize street vending once and for all.

Street vending is as old as New York itself and equally as important today as in the 1800s. New York is not New York without the tantalizing smell of honey-roasted peanuts in Times Square, tamales for breakfast, paletas after school, or late-night halal. New York’s street vendors have been weaving the fabric of our rich street culture for centuries, yet our government has made it impossible for vendors to obtain a license since the 1980s.

My legislation, Senate Bill 1175, would legalize street vending again by lifting the cap on these licenses so that street vendors can grow their small businesses without harassment from the police or city. This bill ensures that the barriers to entry for street vending are fair, empowering entrepreneurship in an industry composed primarily of immigrants, women, and people of color, and beginning to establish a system where there hasn’t been one. 

This moment presents a unique opportunity to both bolster New York’s recovering economy while bringing vendors into our formalized economy for generations to come. 

You can ensure that street vendors get the support they deserve by sharing this email and supporting my re-election campaign! Donations of $5, $10, or $20 significantly impact our ability to run a strong campaign with all the resources we need.

Thank you, as always, for your continued support.

In solidarity,