The Committee on Health of the New York City Council met to consider Intro. 967, a proposal by Council Member Holden that would remove horse-drawn carriages from the city. Holden opened the meeting by invoking Mahatma Gandhi, calling animal welfare a measure of civic greatness, and urged the committee to schedule a public hearing so the public could testify.

Supporters and opponents framed the debate as a clash between animal welfare and worker protections. Council Member Marte said the city is offering a transition package that could raise carriage drivers' total compensation from ‘‘less than $40,000’’ on average to ‘‘more than $70,000’’ with city benefits, calling the proposal ‘‘a win-win solution.’’ Council Member Narcisse and others urged a ‘‘thoughtful approach’’ that acknowledges drivers — many of whom are immigrants who invested in medallions — and the financial consequences for their families.

Opponents questioned the premise for an outright ban. Council Member Gennaro said the carriage industry ‘‘has been in existence for a hundred and 50 years and not 1 conviction of animal cruelty,’’ and described past regulatory reforms he authored to limit hours and mandate stalls and retirement options. Council Member Brannon criticized the sponsor’s process and objected to what he called a rushed Friday vote.

Holden asked the committee to schedule a public hearing on Intro. 967 so the public could testify. The chair then called Intro. 967 for a committee vote to determine whether to send the bill to the full Council. During roll call, the clerk recorded several ‘‘no’’ votes and one ‘‘yes’’ from Council Member Felder, who told the committee he wanted to ‘‘push the bill forward.’’ The clerk announced the result as one affirmative, four negatives and abstentions; the motion to advance the bill failed and the item did not move out of committee.

The committee chair then adjourned the meeting. No public testimony was accepted at this session under the rule invoked by the sponsor.