ALBANY—The Business Council of New York State, Inc. has joined a diverse coalition of business groups and elected officials in filing amicus briefs with the state's Appellate Court in opposition to the New York City beverage ban.
“Banning beverages would adversely impact many of New York City's small businesses,” said Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of The Business Council. “The ban is arbitrary, creates an unfair playing field among businesses and imposes new restrictions on businesses and consumers alike.”
The Business Council's amicus brief is in response to the city's appeal of the March 11th New York Supreme Court decision that struck down the ban before it was implemented. Since that time, city attorneys have appealed the ruling.
“Our brief reiterates arguments made at the trial level – the soda ban was adopted by the city's Board of Health without the delegated authority to do so,” continued Briccetti. “We believe it is important to continue to express our concerns during the appeals process, and are pleased to be part of a large, diverse coalition in opposing the beverage ban.”
The case is now pending before the New York Supreme Court, First Appellate Division. A hearing is set for June 11, 2013.
The Business Council, along with the following groups and individuals, filed amicus briefs in opposition to the ban on April 25, 2013:
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- Manhattan Chamber of Commerce
- Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
- Greater Harlem Chamber of Commerce
- National Federation of Independent Businesses
- National Black Chamber of Commerce
- National Association of Manufacturers
- New York Association of Convenience Stores
- The Food Industry Alliance of New York State
- Bodega Association of the United States
- New York Hospitality Alliance
- National Supermarket Association
- NAACP New York State Conference
- Hispanic Federation
- Mexican American Grocers Association
- U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- The Street Vendor Project
- Councilmember Letitia James
- Councilmember Annabel Palma
- Councilmember Oliver Koppell
- Councilmember Debbie Rose
- Councilmember Robert Jackson
- Councilmember Melissa Mark-Viverito
- Councilmember Diana Reyna
- Councilmember Julissa Ferreras
- Councilmember Mark Weprin
- Councilmember Charles Barron
- Councilmember Fernando Cabrera
- Councilmember Helen Foster
- Councilmember Peter Koo
- Councilmember Rosie Mendez
- Councilmember Ydanis Rodriquez
- Councilmember Karen Koslowitz
- Councilmember Vincent Gentile
- Councilmember Michael Nelson
- Councilmember Dan Garodnick
- Councilmember Leroy Comrie
- Councilmember Donovan Richards
- Councilmember Maria Del Carmen Arroyo
- Councilmember Darlene Mealy
###