Chamber CEO Backs Four Small Business Bills, Including Repeal of a Looming Security-Gate Fine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 8, 2026

Jessica Walker tells City Council: when the city's own actions raise the cost of doing business, the city should help carry it

NEW YORK, NY — Jessica Walker, President and CEO of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce, testified today before the New York City Council Committee on Small Business in support of four measures aimed at lowering the cost of doing business in the city. The Chamber represents 125,000 businesses across the borough.

Walker urged the Committee to act on a slate of bills addressing construction impacts, permitting delays, and outdated storefront mandates, framing all four around a single principle.

"These four items share one idea," Walker testified. "When the city's own actions raise the cost of doing business, the city should help carry it—not add to it."

Construction relief (Int. 0799 and Res. 0328). Walker backed both the proposed support fund and the companion tax credit for small businesses affected by roadway and infrastructure construction. She noted that when the city tears up a street for 30, 60, or 90 days, the storefront behind the scaffolding pays the price as foot traffic disappears but rent does not. The Chamber urged the Committee to treat the 14-day disbursement standard in Int. 0799 as a floor rather than an aspiration. "Relief that arrives next year doesn't save a business that closes this year," Walker said.

Red Tape Relief Act (T2026-2025). Walker called the bill to coordinate agency inspections and plan reviews "the cheapest economic development initiative the city can do." Coordinated inspections, she said, mean a new business opens in months instead of years—and every week a space sits dark is a week of rent with no revenue coming in.

Security grille reform (Int. 0910). Walker supported repealing the 70-percent visibility mandate on existing storefronts while keeping the standard on replacement, calling it the right balance and urging that it be paired with real educational outreach. The Chamber also endorsed amendments proposed by its colleagues at the Brooklyn and Bronx Chambers of Commerce to help as many small businesses as possible.

Walker tied the testimony to the Chamber's latest research, which graded current conditions for small business a D-plus. "These four measures won't fix that grade," she said. "But they're four steps in the right direction."

The hearing was held by the Committee on Small Business at 250 Broadway. Full agenda and legislation are available on the City Council's Legistar site.