Bill raises price limit for selling individual products at newsstands from $5 to $10 pretax
Allows for increased options to products including batteries, earphones & city guides

New York, NY- Today, Speaker Christine C. Quinn was joined by Council Karen Koslowtiz, Committee on Consumer Affairs Chair Daniel R. Garodnick, Counsel to the NYC Newsstand Operators Association Robert Bookman and small business owners to announce new legislation that will to raise the price limit for selling products at the city’s newsstands from $5 to $10 to allow the small business owners to sell more products. In 2001, Council legislation increased the maximum price from $2 to $5, but prices for many products consumers often need have since increased. This legislation will allow newsstands to sell more increasingly needed on-the-go items such as chargers, umbrellas, earphones and camera batteries. Officials made the announcement on Park Place in downtown Manhattan at one of the city’s 300 newsstands.

The legislation, sponsored by Council Member Koslowitz, will be formally introduced at the Council’s May 22 stated meeting and will move through the Committee on Consumer Affairs chaired by Council Member Garodnick. The bill will continue to impact only newsstands under the jurisdiction of the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs and exempt newspapers, magazines, periodicals, and prepaid calling or transit cards from the price limit.

“This legislation will allow New York City’s iconic newsstands to sell more products, thereby expanding consumers’ access to more of the products they want and need,” said Speaker Quinn. “We need to keep up with the times and help ensure these small business owners can continue to compete and succeed in our city.”

“Newsstands are an integral part of our great city,” said Council Member Karen Koslowitz.”By increasing prices of goods that are allowed to be sold, it has now become more convenient for New Yorkers as well as newsstand owners who are open for business 365 days a year.”

“Let’s cut these small businesses a little bit of slack and give them a chance to keep up,” said Committee on Consumer Affairs Chair Daniel R. Garodnick. “Times are changing, and so are consumers’ needs; this is one small way the city can help them meet those needs.”

“Over 11 years ago, in his very first bill signing as Mayor, Mike Bloomberg gave sidewalk newsstands a raise,” said Counsel to the NYC Newsstand Operators Association Robert Bookman. “Well after 11 years, we need another one. With the support of Speaker Quinn and the Council leadership, this bill will help keep these iconic New York street institutions in business and help the moms and pops that run them make a decent living. There were once over 1,500 sidewalk newsstands in the city – today there are about 300. We want to make sure we don’t lose any more of them.”

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