Asm. Michael Novakhov

As a business owner, expressed concerns about unknown financial consequences for businesses, unclear standards for evaluating extraordinary stress, potential fraud, and questioned why employees experiencing extraordinary stress wouldn't simply quit rather than file claims.

Novakhov opposed the bill arguing it should be an incentive-based initiative rather than a mandate, and questioned whether the bill's sponsors understood the actual costs of running electrical infrastructure in multi-story buildings, which he estimated at tens of thousands of dollars rather than hundreds.

As a business owner, questioned unknown financial consequences for businesses, how stress will be evaluated, fraud prevention mechanisms, and why employees experiencing extraordinary stress wouldn't simply quit. Expressed concern about burden on small businesses without sufficient research on costs.

Argued the bill should be an incentive rather than a requirement, and questioned whether the sponsor's team accurately assessed the cost of running electrical wiring through multi-story buildings, suggesting the financial impact on builders is underestimated.

Warned the bill could facilitate bank fraud because IDNYC can be issued to homeless persons without an address, allowing anyone to use a homeless person's ID to open fraudulent accounts.

IDNYC can be issued to homeless persons without an address, creating fraud risks where anyone could use a homeless person's ID to open fraudulent bank accounts.

The bill will create more bureaucracy and delay the Liquor Authority's ability to issue licenses, citing his constituent's nine-month wait for a liquor license.

The bill's language is unclear and contradictory. The sponsor states repairs are not necessary, but the bill's language suggests they are. The existing law already requires manufacturers to notify owners, so additional legislation may not be needed.

Argued the bill punishes small businesses rather than fixing the DOT computer system that allowed the fraudulent inspection, and that only signage companies would benefit financially.

Explained his vote against the bill, noting that New Yorkers are paying 85% more for natural gas than in 2018 and cannot afford dependency on it. Cited Germany's energy crisis due to Russian gas dependency and argued the state is not ready for this transition, similar to problems with electric school buses.

Blanket ban problematic for broadcast and entertainment industries where companies invest heavily in developing talent (e.g., radio personalities). How would this be addressed under blanket prohibition?

Speed cameras are moneymaking machines and legalized ripping off. New Yorkers suffer enough financially without additional speed camera revenue generation.

Questioned why cameras should operate at 3 a.m. when no students are present, characterizing the program as a money-making machine rather than a genuine safety measure.

Expressed concern about practical burden on small dealers with 1-2 staff members managing dozens of recall repairs. Noted that recall repairs can take days and require transportation to manufacturer dealerships. Questioned whether dealers would need to hire additional staff, making compliance unrealistic for small operations.

Questioned why a new star system is needed when Google reviews already provide ratings and consumer feedback, and expressed concern that ratings may be unfair, citing examples of restaurant owners disputing health department ratings.

Raised concerns about retailers' inability to remove advertisements quickly when items sell out, and questioned how businesses could honor sale prices if wholesale costs have changed.

Without credit reporting, landlords cannot track tenant payment history; small landlords especially suffer when unable to collect rent for months or years while paying taxes and maintenance, and court proceedings are lengthy.

Argued the sign will be ineffective because inspection stations are often remote and few people will see it, questioned whether the state will send notifications (adding unnecessary expense), and noted the sign lacks contact information for reporting violations.

Voted against the bill citing concerns that non-English speakers and constituents with limited English proficiency would find the language confusing on ballots.