January 15, 2026 For decades, the “City That Never Sleeps” has been the “City That Never Stops Fining.” From "frozen dessert permits" to the labyrinth of 6,000 different regulations, New York’s small businesses have been treated like an ATM for City Hall.

But the party is over.

Just 14 days into his term, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has signed Executive Order 11, a document that industry leaders are calling a "shot in the arm" for the city’s soul. Here is how the new administration is flipping the script on how New York works.

The "Fine First" Culture is Dead

Mamdani didn't just suggest reform; he set a ticking clock. Seven city agencies now have a 45-day deadline to catalog every single fee and penalty strangling "mom-and-pop" shops.

• 90 Days: The deadline to slash fees that can be cut immediately.

• 180 Days: The deadline to identify penalties that need legislative "surgery" to remove.

• 1 Year: A full report on a massive amnesty program for businesses buried in debt.

"You cannot tell the story of New York without our small businesses," Mamdani declared from Cypress Hills. "Yet, our City has long made it too hard for these same businesses to open their doors. We will bring that chapter to an end."

Is This the End of the "Czar"?

The Five Borough Jobs Campaign, a powerhouse coalition of chambers of commerce and real estate giants, is already applauding. They’re pushing for a "Small Business Czar" who reports directly to the Mayor to ensure the "fine first, ask questions later" mentality is buried for good.

The "2-Care" Explosion: Free Childcare for All?

While Mamdani was fixing the bottom line for shop owners, he was also opening the gates for New York’s parents. Leveraging a massive alliance with Governor Kathy Hochul, the Mayor launched the application period for 3-K and Pre-K with a bombshell promise: A guaranteed seat for every single family who applies by Feb. 27.

The "Hidden Seats" Scandal

In a direct jab at the previous administration, Mamdani revealed that thousands of 3-K seats went empty in recent years—not because parents didn't want them, but because the city allegedly hid them.

"The past administration sought to not only cut funding... but also to cut outreach and advertising," Mamdani charged. He’s now launching a "full-court press" using everything from TaxiTV to LinkNYC kiosks to make sure every immigrant and low-income family knows their rights.

Sanctuary Schools: A Shield Against Federal Heat

With federal immigration rhetoric heating up, Mamdani sent a clear message to the city’s immigrant heart: Your children are safe here.

The enrollment push comes with a legal reminder: ICE agents are strictly barred from entering New York City schools without a judicial warrant. "We’re going to remind New Yorkers... of the rights that they have," the Mayor stated firmly.

What This Means for You

Whether you are a coffee shop owner tired of being harassed by inspectors or a parent struggling with a $20,000-a-year childcare bill, the Mamdani administration is moving at breakneck speed to put money back in your pocket.

The clock is ticking: You have until February 27 to claim your child's future.