(Just The News)—A coalition of business groups is calling on New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani to add his weight to a push for state reforms to a law critics say has fueled a wave of bogus litigation.
In a letter to Mamdani, the groups said the law, which dates back to 1885, continues to impose “absolute liability” on New York property owners and contractors for injuries on construction sites, which has caused insurance rates to “skyrocket” in recent years.
The groups, which include Associated General Contractors of New York, the Lawsuit Reform Alliance of New York and the Citizens Budget Commission, said the mandate has caused construction insurance rates in New York City to skyrocket, driving up the cost of housing, schools, and infrastructure. They said it also has resulted in significant fraud as staged accident suits have flooded the courts.
As a result, New York City construction and development projects face insurance premiums 2 to 5 times higher than in comparable markets, adding about 7% to 10% to overall construction costs, they said.
“Furthermore, bad actors exploit the law to defraud the legal system, further driving up insurance and construction costs,” they wrote.
The groups said amending the Scaffold Law to apply so-called “comparative negligence” — a rule commonly used in personal injury lawsuits — “juries can consider the responsibility of all parties involved, which will reduce the volume of lawsuits, fraudulent claims, and the price of insurance.”
“These savings will lower construction costs and encourage investment in the development of thousands of additional affordable housing units,” they wrote.
Critics of reforming New York’s scaffolding law say the changes would make it harder for workers to recover damages, reverse safety gains and put workers at even greater risk of injury.
“By holding owners and contractors strictly liable for elevation-related hazards, the Scaffold Law creates a powerful incentive to invest in safety,” Leitner Varughese Warywoda, a New York City-based law firm, wrote in a recent report. “This preventative effect is credited with making New York’s worksites safer than they would be under a negligence standard.”
New York’s legal system is consistently ranked among the worst in the nation in the American Tort Reform Foundation’s annual “judicial hellholes” report for its handling of frivolous litigation.
Trial lawyer groups have ramped up spending on lawsuit ads and aggressive marketing campaigns that critics say are fueling a “fraudemic” of bogus litigation, tort reform groups say.
In the letter, the business groups pointed to Gov. Kathy Hochul’s liability reforms as part of her ‘affordability’ agenda, including a package of auto insurance reforms aimed at cracking down on fraud that she pushed through the legislative process.
“Gov. Hochul’s recent car insurance reforms targeted fraud and legal system abuse to lower costs for all New Yorkers,” they wrote. “To further these efforts, New York City must recommend that the State amend the Scaffold Law’s liability standards to deter fraudulent claims and decrease construction costs.”
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
