Mayor Bill de Blasio faced a significant setback as his initiative to limit the horse carriage industry in Manhattan abruptly failed, marking a considerable embarrassment for his administration. Despite de Blasio’s efforts and personal appeals to New York City Council members, the council canceled a vote on the bill, which sought to confine the industry’s horses to Central Park. The legislation’s failure highlighted the mayor’s isolation on the issue, opposed by labor unions, parks advocates, pedicab drivers, and other groups. The Teamsters union, representing carriage drivers, withdrew support, citing concerns for the industry’s future and the safety of their jobs. This withdrawal was pivotal, as the union’s support was deemed essential for securing the necessary council votes.
The plan, which also involved spending over $25 million on a new stable in Central Park, faced criticism for being out of touch with de Blasio’s core mission and for prioritizing the interests of wealthy donors over more pressing city issues. The collapse of the deal overshadowed de Blasio’s State of the City address and served as a painful reminder of previous legislative failures, such as the attempt to limit the expansion of Uber. Opposition to the horse carriage plan grew, with key figures and unions actively campaigning against it. The bill’s removal from the council’s calendar effectively defeated the initiative, prompting calls for the city to move on to more pressing matters. Despite the setback, de Blasio vowed to continue pursuing a solution, emphasizing his commitment to finding a new path forward on the issue.
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