Zohran Mamdani has backed a New York City Council bill that could expose some small businesses to new lawsuits. The proposed People and Organizations Winning Economic Relief Act, or POWER, would let private plaintiffs sue over a range of business practices.
The bill's exemption applies only to independently owned businesses with annual revenue below $5 million and no more than four employees. Firms with five workers would not qualify for that exemption, even though Mamdani's small-business agenda defines small businesses as those with up to 50 employees.
New Yorkers already have a way to bring claims under state law over unlawful deceptive conduct, while the state attorney general can pursue unfair and abusive practices. POWER would add a city-level route for private lawsuits, including claims brought on behalf of other New Yorkers or the public. The proposal has not been enacted.
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