NYC Dems target Amazon with crippling bill in latest anti-business push

The New York City council is considering a bill that would end the use of third-party delivery by forcing every company that engages in last-mile deliveries to get a license from the city. This move would largely impact the cost of shipping for Amazon.

Amazon has long since worked with private third-party contractors due to their familiarity with the city landscape and the flexibility for them to grow and shrink their workflow as needed. Having contractors is less of a financial burden during uncertain economic times than permanent employees.

The controversial Delivery Protection Act was reintroduced by Democratic Queens Councilwoman Tiffany Caban.

Supporters of the bill claim it will protect workers, but others believe that it would only cause Amazon to move its facilities out of the city and into neighboring areas like Westchester and Long Island. Researchers at the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research believe that it would add an estimated $600 annual delivery fee to each household, along with adding to the already crowded road space.

This claim was supported by Amazon spokesperson Kelly Nante when she confirmed that the bill would require relocation of Amazon's delivery operations.

“We’re committed to creating good jobs, supporting our thousands of employees and local small business partners in New York City, and providing fast, affordable delivery in a safe working environment,” Nantel told the NY Post. “As written, this legislation would directly undermine that commitment, threatening the more than 40 Delivery Service Partners we work with in New York City every day and putting the jobs of their more than 5,000 employees at risk,” she said.

This is hardly the first time New York City lawmakers have hampered business for Amazon, as in 2019 the company scrapped plans to build a major headquarters in Long Island City, Queens after particularly harsh pushback from progressive lawmakers. The backlash was headed by then-newly elected Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.