January 6, 2026 If you’ve ever felt a surge of rage watching a $60 concert ticket magically turn into $95 at checkout, or spent three hours on hold trying to cancel a gym membership, New York City finally has your back.

On Monday, Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed a pair of explosive executive orders aimed squarely at the "dishonest" business practices that have turned living in NYC into a financial minefield. It’s a move the Mayor says is about more than just money—it's about ending the "disrespect" shown to working-class New Yorkers.

The "Nickel and Dimed" Era is Over

Speaking in Long Island City, Mamdani didn't pull any punches. He described a city where New Yorkers are being "buried" by an avalanche of small, hidden charges that add up to a massive cost-of-living crisis.

"A five-dollar fee here, a ten-dollar fee there—what seems small adds up quickly," Mamdani warned. He specifically called out landlords who tack on last-minute charges to rent payments, calling the move a sign of "disdain" for tenants.

The Two-Pronged Attack

The Mayor’s plan hits predatory businesses where it hurts through two distinct mandates:

1. The Junk Fee Task Force: Co-chaired by Deputy Mayor Julie Su and DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine, this team is authorized to "intensify enforcement" against hidden charges in everything from gym contracts to food delivery.

2. Killing "Subscription Traps": The second order targets the "tricks and traps" companies use to make canceling a recurring charge nearly impossible. The city will now monitor and prosecute businesses that make it easy to sign up but a nightmare to leave.

A Powerhouse Alliance: AG Letitia James Joins the Fight

The Mayor isn't fighting this battle alone. State Attorney General Letitia James stood alongside him, bringing the heavy artillery of her office’s prior victories. James highlighted how her office recently clawed back $600,000 for New Yorkers trapped in gym memberships and millions for car buyers hit with illegal fees.

"It basically took hours for them to cancel these subscriptions," James said. "That’s hours away from families, hours away from children, hours off of work."

Small Business Warning: "No Industry Above the Law"

While the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce cautioned the city not to penalize small businesses for "administrative technicalities," the city’s message was clear. DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine warned that the days of "hiding the ball" are over.

"There is no industry that is above the law," Levine said. "Should we find companies engaging in these practices, we’re going to take them to court."

Beyond the Fees: A Changing NYC

The crackdown on fees is just one part of Mamdani’s aggressive "affordability" agenda. The press conference touched on several major shifts currently hitting the city:

• World Cup Greed: Mamdani is doubling down on his "Game Over Greed" campaign, demanding FIFA abandon "dynamic pricing" for the 2026 World Cup tickets at MetLife Stadium.

• The Congestion Dividend: One year into congestion pricing, traffic is down 11%. The Mayor is now looking to reinvest that "space dividend" into bike lanes and pedestrian-friendly streets.

• Judicial Shakeup: Mamdani also announced a slate of new judges, promising a justice system that prioritizes "accountability and fairness."

New York is changing, and for those who have spent years paying "convenience fees" for things that are anything but convenient, the message from City Hall is simple: The era of the hidden fee is officially dead.