"The first bill before me today is Introductory Number 14-B, sponsored by Council Members Moskowitz, Gallagher, Comrie and Sanders. This bill, which will take effect 180 days after its enactment, is historic in that it marks the first time that the City will be regulating the placement, installation, and maintenance of newsracks on City sidewalks.

"In recent years, there has been a proliferation of newsracks throughout the City. These boxes, which we are all familiar with, carry an assortment of newspapers and other written materials and are located on street corners throughout the five boroughs. While these newsracks provide an important public service, their previously unregulated placement and maintenance have frequently created an inconvenience to pedestrians and a danger to the safety and welfare of people using the City's sidewalks.

"This legislation seeks and achieves the appropriate balance between the City's interest in regulating the placement and maintenance of newsracks on our sidewalks and the protection of freedom of the press accorded by the First Amendment. The bill is particularly important for the Department of Transportation, as it will be the Department's responsibility to oversee the placement and maintenance of newsracks on the City's sidewalks.

"The Council and my Administration shared the same goal in passing this legislation: to ensure that the right to disseminate information through newsracks is balanced along with the safe and orderly use of the City sidewalks that we all share. I would like to take a moment to thank a few people who were instrumental in the passage of this legislation; Iris Weinshall, the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation; Council Member Eva Moskowitz, the bill's sponsor, and John Liu, Chair of the Council's Transportation Committee. Thank you all for your tireless dedication and hard work in making this very important piece of legislation a reality. This bill is a great example of how the Council and my Administration can work together effectively to address important issues that affect the daily lives of all New Yorkers."