Testimony: Overcharging by horse-drawn carriage industry in NYC

Elaine S, an advocate for a ban on horse-drawn carriages in New York City, testifies about why an industry bill (Intro. 653-A) is "a sham" and describes rate-gouging by the New York City horse-drawn carriage industry. Legally allowable fares are routinely ignored at the hack line, and sales tax is collected inappropriately; these violations are well-documented on YouTube ("Tourists Overcharged"). This speaker also told the committee about fares 400% higher than the legal rate, an outrageous violation that is documented online and that was turned over as evidence to the City Council's Consumer Affairs committee. This testimony is important because it is the Department of Consumer Affairs that has responsibility for protecting against consumer ripoffs--and presumably that includes tourists. Yet, it appears that the city endorses such flagrant violations. The DCA also has oversight authority with relevant aspects of the carriage industry, and this hearing was before members of the city council's Consumer Affairs committee. Council Member Tony Avella, sponsor of Intro. 658 that would ban the industry, invoked the "Sponsor's Privilege" rule in calling the public hearing on January 30, 2009.
A full ban on horse-drawn carriages in New York City is supported by The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, The Humane Society of the United States, Friends of Animals, and many other animal advocacy organizations. The Bar Association of New York City also supports a full ban and opposes the industry bill, which the association says will make things worse for the horses.
Also see: "Gennaro Questions Lori Barrett, Esq" at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBWnPfBCttk
and:
Testimony of Jill Weitz, at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcOcg3PJlRI
VIDEO CREDIT: ANTHONY SPEZIALE

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Elaine Sloan
• Tony Avella
• horse-drawn carriage
• carriage ride
• Central Park carriage
• tourists overcharged
• Leroy Comrie
• Charles Barron
• James Gennaro
• John Liu
• G. Oliver Koppell
• romantic carriage ride
• Intro. 658
• Intro. 653

[eelaineable]

It's OUTRAGEOUS that the price bilking has been ignored by the Attorney General's office AND by the NYC Dept. of Consumer Affairs! SHAME on them for turning a blind eye to this abuse to the public and allowing the industry to do illegal business!!!!!