Mamdani appoints FTC alumnus Sam Levine as head of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has revealed his selection for leading the city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, a pivotal agency integral to his ambitious pro-worker agenda. On Monday, he announced that Sam Levine, a former official at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) during the Biden administration, will assume the role.

At a news conference held in Lower Manhattan to announce Levine’s appointment, Mamdani extolled Levine’s commitment to challenging powerful corporate interests. He emphasized that Levine would transform the Department into a formidable advocate for consumer rights and worker protections. According to Mamdani, Levine’s success in this position will contribute significantly to the vibrancy of the city’s economy, benefiting small businesses and empowering workers who can depend on their government to prioritize their welfare.

The Department of Consumer and Worker Protection is seen as a cornerstone of Mamdani’s platform. He has articulated a vision to reshape the agency into a vigorous consumer watchdog, passionate about enforcing rights for workers and consumers alike. A key element of his plan includes a significant increase in the department’s budget, proposing to double its current allocation of approximately million. This budget enhancement is aimed at expanding the agency’s workforce, thereby enabling it to tackle a wider array of violators effectively.

Levine echoed these sentiments, asserting his commitment to ensuring that every gig worker, small-business owner, and consumer is aware of their rights and feels supported by the city government. He emphasized the importance of accessible advocacy for these often-overlooked groups.

Levine’s appointment has been met with approval from various sectors, including Lina Khan, the chairwoman of the FTC, who serves as a co-chair on Mamdani’s transition team. Khan highlighted Levine’s exceptional public service track record and his commitment to enforcing consumer rights impartially and decisively.

In addition to Levine’s appointment, Mamdani has recently appointed Julie Su as deputy mayor for economic justice, a newly established role designed to oversee the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Su, who previously held the position of acting U.S. labor secretary, is expected to collaborate closely with Levine as they work toward creating a fairer economic landscape for all New Yorkers. This focus on worker empowerment and consumer rights marks a significant shift in the city’s administrative priorities under Mamdani’s administration.

As these changes take shape, stakeholders across the city’s economic spectrum will be keenly watching how this newly assembled team addresses the challenges facing consumers and workers in an evolving marketplace.