Advocates for small businesses are criticizing Republican minority leader Joanne Ariola after she voted to override a veto on a law meant to decriminalize illegal vending, a position she initially opposed alongside other conservatives.
Ariola’s change of heart gave enough backing to overturn Adams’ veto, with insiders noting the vote was particularly contentious.
“Joann sold us out,” exclaimed Robert Holden, a conservative Democrat who has worked alongside Ariola in the Common Sense Caucus and voted against the override. “She’s not looking out for us.” He expressed concerns about an influx of illegal vendors in his community.
Holden noted that the council nearly lacked the required votes to proceed with the override, but Ariola’s later support turned the tide after an initial decision to suspend roll calls.
Meanwhile, Anthony Angiata, the Republican Chairman of Queens and a florist in Maspeth, voiced his surprise at Ariola’s actions, stating they undermine local merchants and contribute to the problem of illegal vending.
“This is a tragedy. Decriminalizing illegal vending is going to hurt small and legal businesses,” Anunziata said.
First Vice Mayor Randy Mastro criticized Ariola for her shift, recalling that she had previously voted against the bill before the veto. He claimed her actions adversely affect legal vendors, many of whom are immigrants.
“It’s simply unfair to encourage illegal vending,” Mastro added, highlighting the irony of Ariola’s position change. “I didn’t realize she was this loyal to the speaker instead of her own principles.”
The legislation, known as Intro 47-B, was partially aimed at offering protection to immigrants who engage in unlicensed vending, especially during heightened enforcement under the Trump administration.
Supporters of the bill pointed out that the Street Advisory Task Force, initiated in 2021, advocated for decriminalizing minor offenses and replacing them with civil penalties for unlicensed vendors.
Last year, the NYPD issued 1,688 summonses for illegal vending.
Ariola defended her vote, attributing it to the Adams administration’s lack of stringent enforcement against illegal vendors, stating, “This was a protest against the mayor’s inaction. My district has struggled with this issue for years, and I’ve sought assistance consistently.”
She noted the rampant presence of illegal vendors near City Hall over the years and accused the mayor of taking action only during election season to gain public favor.
Ariola remarked, “If the mayor truly cared, he would have put forward tougher regulations and significant fines to effectively address the problem in known trouble areas.”
The NYPD and sanitation departments currently possess the authority to impose fines on unlicensed vendors and seize their goods.
