New York City Council Member Simcha Felder (D-Brooklyn) applauded Governor Spitzer’s signing of legislation that will curb the distribution of unwanted menus and fliers in New York City. Governor Spitzer signed the legislation last night, and the legislation will go into effect in 90 days. Felder is the primary sponsor of legislation in the City Council that would address the same problem.

“It doesn’t matter what borough or what type of building you live in, if you live in New York City, you have been inundated with mounds of unwanted circulars and fliers,” Felder said,  “It’s a waste, it’s mess, and it’s a threat to our quality of life. If businesses want to advertise, they can use the post office, take out ads in newspapers, or neatly pass out menus and fliers to homes that want them. Just keep their mess off everyone else’s property.”

In April 2007, Council Member Felder’s legislation, City Council Introduction 427, made international news and created a stir in the City when Felder announced that the bill would fine anyone who distributes unwanted circulars, menus, or fliers to buildings that display a small sign indicating that it does not wish to receive them.

The state legislature picked up the issue last summer, but the original state law required changes to address shortcomings in the legislation, mainly to address the case of large apartment buildings, condos and co-ops, and to address which city agency would be in charge of enforcement.

“I applaud Governor Spitzer and the New York State Legislature for finishing the job they started last year, and taking this important step to alleviating a lot of homeowners’ headaches. This legislation will come with sighs of relief from millions of New Yorkers,” Felder said.