NYC Council Passes Horse-Drawn Carriage Ban

New York City’s Council voted 40–7 to pass Romanch’s Law, which will phase out horse-drawn carriages by June 1, 2028, ending an industry that has operated for more than 150 years. The law is named for 18-year-old tourist Romanch Mahajan, who died after being thrown from a runaway carriage horse in Central Park; supporters cite animal-welfare and public-safety concerns. It calls for a transition plan to help more than 150 drivers find other work and address the horses’ placement, but drivers and owners say there is no clear compensation for their businesses and investments. The Transport Workers Union has sued, alleging constitutional violations, and the city says it is prepared to defend the law. President Donald Trump criticized the ban as the loss of a cherished New York tradition.