City Council Passes Distressed Housing Bill and Carriage Ban Ahead of Early Voting

The New York City Council has passed the COPA legislation, giving nonprofit organizations the first opportunity to purchase distressed and run-down buildings across the city, according to reports from Next City, The Real Deal, the New York Daily News, and City Limits. The Real Deal reported that the Council's approval concludes a six-year legislative battle over the measure. City Limits noted that the bill passed with the mayor's support, and Next City reported that Mayor Mamdani is expected to sign the legislation. The New York Times also reported on New York City's effort to control who can buy troubled housing, while the Commercial Observer noted that the city's pied-à-terre surcharge is changing investment calculations in the property market.

The housing vote coincided with other major legislative activity at City Hall. Animals 24-7 reported that the New York City Council voted 40-7 to pass a bill banning horse-drawn carriages by 2028. According to ABC7 Los Angeles, The New York Times, NPR, and WestSideSpirit.com, the legislation phases out the horse-drawn carriage trade by 2028, ending a Central Park tradition. However, The New York Times stated in a Facebook post that the measure will likely face a court challenge before it is implemented in 2028.

Meanwhile, the New York Post reported that Mayor Mamdani has signed 1 law in 10 months, attributing the pace to what it described as an "obsessed" staff focused on "becoming a content farm." Outside the legislative chamber, the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, announced that Amazon Teamsters rallied at City Hall with IBT President O'Brien, Mayor Mamdani, and labor and community allies in support of the Delivery Protection Act.

New York City residents are also preparing to cast ballots as early voting starts Saturday, according to The New York Times. Gothamist published a voter guide for New York's 2026 elections covering the races for governor and Congress, and the Rochester Beacon also outlined what voters should know about the New York governor's race. Alongside candidate contests, City & State New York and Harlem World Magazine reported that voters will weigh five ballot proposals that could change New York City's Charter. Harlem World Magazine noted that one proposal, COGE, could reshape Harlem, while Reason Magazine reported that the city's ballot questions might cut red tape and public review hearings even under Mamdani.