Freedom From Monopolies NY

Corporate monopolies hold too much power in New York. They use it to increase prices, stifle local businesses, siphon away public resources, and rip the heart out of communities across the state.

The consequences of this monopoly problem are severe. New York is losing three farms a day. Independent pharmacies close constantly. There are fewer black-owned grocery stores today than there were in 1970. Monopoly utilities relentlessly hike rates, and health care giants charge sky-high prices for substandard care. Corporate landlords use secret algorithms to collude and raise rental costs.

These results are no accident. For too long, corporations have been allowed to consolidate, enabling them to amass economic and political power and entrench their own dominance, leaving consumers and local businesses subject to their whims and abuses.

But New York's legislature can take action. Below is an agenda that would help free New Yorkers from the power of corporate monopolies.

We have 15 proposals that will protect consumers, enable businesses to compete, and empower workers. (Bill numbers have been added where they apply.)

1. The 21st Century Antitrust Act: Reform and update New York's century-old antitrust law to better protect workers and local businesses. (S 335/A 2015) (passed the Senate in 2022, 2024.)
2. The New York Junk Fee Prevention Act: Ban corporations from using mandatory, undisclosed junk fees. (S 363/A 1821)
3. The Fair Business Practices Act: Ensure New York's consumer protection laws are updated and modernized.
4. The End Hedge Fund Control of New York Homes Act: Prevent hedge funds and private equity firms from consolidating single-family housing markets. (S 1572/A 1818)
5. Ban Algorithmic Price-Fixing in Rental Housing: Prevent corporate landlords from using third-party algorithms to fix rent prices. (S 1573/S 2697/A 1417/Executive Budget)
6. Ban Non-Compete Agreements: Give workers the freedom to accept new jobs in their chosen fields. (S 4641) (passed the full legislature in 2023)
7. Prohibit Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) from Owning Pharmacies: End conflicts of interest in drug distribution and protect independent pharmacies. (A 6546)
8. Reform Monopoly Utilities' Rate of Return: Block corrupt regulators from granting excess returns to monopoly utilities. (Senate One House Budget)
9. Ban Monopoly Utilities From Raising Rates to Pay for Politics: Prevent monopoly utilities from using ratepayer money to engage in political activity.
10. Ban Surveillance Pricing and Wage-Setting: Ensure corporations can not use personal data (such as facial recognition) or online surveillance to set individual prices or wages.
11. End Ad Tech Monopolies: Prevent dominant corporations from controlling online advertising markets.
12. End Price Discrimination Against Small Businesses: Ensure local businesses can fairly compete with Big Box Stores.
13. Create a Right to Repair Farm Equipment: Prevent corporations from holding repair monopolies over farm equipment.
14. Fix New York's Consumer Right to Repair Law: Fix loopholes in the law giving New Yorkers the right to repair their own consumer goods.
15. Create Click-to-Cancel Subscription Rules: Ensure that it's as easy to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up for one. (Senate One House Budget)