Assemblyman William Colton (D – Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights) strongly supports an addendum to the sign and awning regulations that was proposed by council member Mark Gjonaj, who is the chairman of the New York City Council's Committee on Small Business, which will stop the harassment against small businesses imposing fines of up to $6,000.

“I strongly believe that the city administration’s bureaucracy is harassing small business owners, driving them out of business. The Department of Buildings was not enforcing the awning and sign regulations over the years. I demand that bureaucratic regulations such as this, which place unnecessary restrictions, other than for safety reasons, should be repealed by city government,” Colton stated.

“This addendum to proposed city council legislation offers hope of stopping a grave injustice against small businesses across the city. Small businesses are being threatened with $6000 fines because their signs, even though perfectly safe, violate some antiquated rule as lettering, or wordings are more than six square feet. Furthermore, the city administration must reimburse business owners who had to pay fines in recent months,” Colton stated.