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As your constituent, I am writing to respectfully urge you to cosponsor Intro. 943 Romanch’s Law, formerly known as Ryder's Law, to phase out horse-drawn carriages in the city. New York City has debated the future of horse-drawn carriage operations for decades. While efforts have been made to improve conditions through additional oversight and regulation, those reforms have not resolved the fundamental challenges of requiring horses to work in one of the busiest and most congested urban environments in the world. Recent events have once again highlighted the need for action. In June, carriage horse Deniz died while working in Central Park. Just days later, 18-year-old Romanch Mahajan tragically lost his life following a runaway carriage incident. These heartbreaking events are reminders of the risks faced not only by the horses, but also by carriage drivers, passengers, park visitors and the public. New York City is not alone in confronting this issue. Many major cities in the U.S. and around the world have already phased out or significantly restricted horse-drawn carriage operations, recognizing that modern standards for public safety and animal welfare have evolved. Intro. 943 provides a thoughtful and balanced path forward. The legislation would responsibly phase out horse-drawn carriage operations, ensure the humane retirement and placement of the horses and establish a workforce transition program to support carriage drivers and stable workers throughout the transition. After decades of debate, New York City has an opportunity to move beyond temporary fixes and toward a humane, responsible solution for horses, workers, residents and visitors alike. I respectfully ask you to add your name as a cosponsor of Intro. 943 and help move this important legislation forward. Thank you for your consideration and for your service to our community.