New York City must continue cutting red tape for small businesses

The July 22 editorial “A closer look at Mamdani’s small-business agenda” takes an overly pessimistic view on the mayor’s recent reforms. As Small Business Majority’s New York Director, I hear from New York City entrepreneurs regularly. They all agree that there’s way too much red tape that gets in the way of starting and running a small business in the city. Yet, they’re hopeful because they feel that there’s finally an administration that is taking the time to show up for them. The newly appointed Mom-and-Pop Czar, Delia Awusi, is a particular bright spot – she’s been busy listening to and learning from New York City’s smallest businesses at events and in stores across the boroughs.

That said, perspective is important here. While the recent reforms are a great first step toward changing unnecessary and duplicative regulations, there is still a lot of work to be done. It’s also important to remember that Mayor Mamdani has only been in office for seven months, and New York City’s vast bureaucracy can’t be unraveled overnight. He and his administration are trying to make a difference quickly to reduce barriers for entrepreneurs, all while ensuring small business owners themselves are at the center of these conversations. We appreciate his administration’s work and urge them to keep making our local government better serve New York City’s small business community.