New York City Updates

📌  With Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” playing in the background and a photo of his late mother at his side, New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced in a video on Sunday that he is dropping out of the mayoral race. The announcement comes as Adams’ chances at reelection were looking dim. The Brooklyn Democrat was running as an independent in the general election after opting out of the Democratic primary in June. In recent polls for November’s general election, Adams had failed to break out of a distant fourth place, behind front-runner and Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, former Gov. Andrew Cuomo who is running as an independent and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa.

📌 Weeks after suspending his independent mayoral campaign, Jim Walden formally endorsed Andrew Cuomo on Thursday and urged all remaining candidates besides Democratic front-runner Zohran Mamdani to also line up behind the ex-governor. In a statement, Walden — a lawyer who launched a long-shot bid but never pulled more than 1% support in polls of November’s mayoral election — stressed his endorsement of Cuomo is in large part aimed at stopping Mamdani, a democratic socialist.  

Federal Updates

📌 Congressmen Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX) reintroduced the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (EWEA). It would create a new H-2C visa to help restaurants fill long-vacant jobs. The basics:

• 3-year visa, extendable up to 9 years
• 65,000 visas annually, adjustable up to 85,000
• 25% of visas are reserved for businesses that promote recognized safety programs (ServSafe), hire through WOTC, or operate with low sales per employee
• Employers would have to use E-Verify and show that no qualified U.S. worker is available

📌 The Trump Administration rolled out a series of actions impacting the H-1B program, including adding costs, proposing a new selection process, and stepping up enforcement. The basics:

• A Sept. 19 proclamation requires a $100K payment with all new H-1B petitions filed after Sept. 21, 2025; petitions filed earlier, approved petitions, and current visa holders are not affected
• Restrictions are in effect for 12 months unless extended; DHS may grant “national-interest” exceptions
• DHS has proposed a weighted lottery favoring higher-wage petitions
• DOL launched Project Firewall to step up H-1B compliance enforcement

📌 A federal government shutdown is looming unless the Senate can reach an agreement by Wednesday. President Trump is expected to meet with Congressional leaders on both sides today. Although Republicans control Capitol Hill and the White House, at least seven Democrats in the Senate would need to join them to pass a spending package under the chamber’s rules. Democratic leaders continue to push back, saying those votes won’t come without a deal to extend the enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies

State Updates

📌 The state will begin mailing tax rebate checks Friday to about 8 million New Yorkers, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced. The "inflation rebate" checks stem from a budget surplus the state enjoyed last year. The check amounts range from $150 to $400, based on income, and there is an income cap on eligibility. These payments are separate from the School Tax Relief (STAR) checks some households will receive this fall.

📌 We are happy to announce that two new programs have been approved for the Restaurant Ready program here in New York. Unity House of Troy and the Success Map Initiative have both been approved. The Restaurant Ready is a national program dedicated to helping people acquire the basic job and life skills necessary to pursue jobs in the restaurant and hospitality industry, and jumpstart a pathway to independence. Program participants receive training in six work-ready competency areas defined by the hospitality industry. You can learn more about the mission of Unity House in Troy here and the Success Map Initiative here.  

Labor & Employment Law Corner

Additional Pay Due to Employees in the Hospitality Industry in New York State

By R. Scott DeLuca, Esq.

Welcome to the first column of this a new monthly series looking at the requirements and impact of labor and employment law on the hospitality industry. This series is contributed by long-time NYSRA partner and R. Scott DeLuca, Esq., a seasoned labor and employment law attorney.

In the first edition: Restaurateurs and other employers in the New York State hospitality industry must provide additional compensation to employees in certain situations. This additional pay falls into two main categories: call-in pay and spread of hours pay.

Spain’s Great Match NY 2025

Tuesday, September 30

12 - 7 p.m.at Mercado Little Spain (10 Hudson Yards, NYC)

ICEX/Foods and Wines from Spain and #AlimentosdeEspaña, in collaboration with the Trade Commission of Spain in New York, are proud to present Spain’s Great Match 2025—a vibrant celebration of Spanish wine, spirits, and gastronomy, returning to the heart of New York City.

Held at the iconic Mercado Little Spain, this immersive experience is designed to highlight the exceptional diversity and quality of Spanish products already available in the U.S. market. 

Learn More & Register Here

Sign up HERE for updates from the National Restaurant Association.

Upcoming Leadership Roundtables



Each virtual Hospitality Leadership Roundtable features a monthly topic of discussion, and a town hall session for open conversation and Q&A.

Caterers Council | Register

Wednesday, October 1 at 11:00 a.m. 

Hospitality Leadership Roundtable | Register

Tuesday, October 21 at 10:00 a.m. 

NYC Hospitality Leadership Roundtable | Register

Monday, October 27 at 3:00 p.m. 

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