Staten Island’s Rep Leads Push to Eliminate Burdensome IRS Paperwork for Online Sellers; Malliotakis, Morano & Sliwa Demand NYC Let Lucy the Service Pig Stay: UPDATED

Malliotakis Leads Push to Eliminate Burdensome IRS Paperwork for Online Sellers; Malliotakis, Morano & Sliwa Demand NYC Let Lucy the Service Pig Stay

Rep. Malliotakis said on her Facebook page after the press conference: “Mayor Adams: Don’t do what Gov. Hochul did to Peanut the Squirrel! #SaveLucy and let this loved emotional support pig stay in her #StatenIsland home!” – Frank Morano, Curtis Sliwa

In addition, the Mayor has stepped in and saved Lucy the Pig.  Rep. Malliotakis provided the following statement after learning about this: “We are overjoyed to learn that Mayor Adams heard our pleas and is allowing Lucy to stay in her loving home with the Gannone Family. The idea that this properly registered emotional support animal who has been part of the family for years could be confiscated or cause her owners to be fined thousands of dollars was unsettling. Mayor Adams made the right call here, we were happy to have helped and we wish Lucy and her family well in her remaining days.”

Mayor Adams issued the following statement: “Here’s the squeal: Lucy the Pig is staying on Staten Island with her family to receive medical care. We won’t be fining them or taking enforcement action at this time as it’s clear Lucy is cared for and not causing any disruptions to the community.”

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11) renewed her call to eliminate the burdensome paperwork for online sellers earning at least $600. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, she is actively working to cut red tape and protect casual sellers from unnecessary and excessive reporting requirements by raising the threshold to $20,000 for those completing a minimum of 200 transactions.

“I will continue working to cut red tape from burdensome 1099-K reporting requirements so they can stop wasting time on unnecessary paperwork and instead use their energy to create new opportunities for their small businesses,” said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. “As more Americans turn to resold, refurbished, and repaired items, I applaud the efforts of leading industry platforms to create trusted spaces for buying and selling in the growing secondhand economy, but despite this progress, casual sellers continue to face increasing bureaucratic hurdles under the current 1099-K threshold making it urgent for Congress to take action.”

Malliotakis was recently joined at the Capitol by Vivian Vassar, a Staten Island small business owner and founder of “Hey Viv,” an online retro clothing store that’s been in business for over 35 years. The two advocated for this change to the Biden-era policy and attended the launch of a caucus dedicated to supporting these online small businesses.

“As a Staten Island business, I’m encouraged to see the Recommerce Committee focusing on policies that support and strengthen online businesses, helping to keep US e-commerce strong and competitive,” said Vivian Vassar, Owner of Hey Viv.

Rep. Malliotakis and Staten Island Small Business Owner, Vivian Vassar.

The growing impact of 1099-K reporting on casual sellers highlights how tax requirements are burdening the rapidly growing recommerce economy. Recommerce is the resale, repair, and refurbishment of goods that is revitalizing the American commerce economy, and is projected to reach $1.04 trillion globally by 2035. In 2024, 58% of consumers purchased secondhand apparel, with 56% of those transactions occurring online. Language to increase the thresholds and number of transactions to trigger reporting was included in the House’s tax bill which Malliotakis helped craft and can become law as early as next week.

As part of this effort, Rep. Malliotakis joined Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) in launching the bipartisan Recommerce Caucus. The caucus aims to empower small sellers and entrepreneurs by advocating for policies that support income through resale, repair, and refurbishment; promote a sustainable, circular economy by extending product life and reducing waste; and expand access to digital marketplaces by lowering barriers and increasing digital inclusion for all Americans.

“As a lifelong thrifter and advocate for sustainable business practices, I’m proud to partner with Rep. Malliotakis to launch the bipartisan Recommerce Caucus,” said Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove. “Recommerce is more than a trend — it’s a growing economic engine that provides consumers with affordable, high-quality goods and gives entrepreneurs, small businesses, and resellers access to trusted, thriving marketplaces. Together, we’re committed to advancing policies that support the circular economy, reduce waste, and empower buyers and sellers nationwide. ”

Rep. Malliotakis and Rep. Kamlager-Dove at the U.S. Capitol to officially launch the Recommerce Caucus. The Recommerce Caucus is endorsed by a growing coalition of leading platforms and advocates, including eBay, Etsy, Mercari, OfferUp, Pinterest, Poshmark, Red Bubble, and the PASS Coalition.

Malliotakis, Morano & Sliwa Demand NYC Let Lucy the Service Pig Stay

(STATEN ISLAND, NY) – Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis joined Councilman Frank Morano and Founder of the Guardian Angels, Curtis Sliwa to demand the NYC Department of Health drop its outrageous call to remove Lucy, a 15 year old service pig and beloved family pet, from her Staten Island home.

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The press conference took place at Lucy’s residence, where officials spoke out against government overreach, advocated for compassion, and urged Mayor Eric Adams and Health Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse to intervene immediately and allow Lucy to live out her remaining days in peace.

Lucy the pig on Staten Island. Image Credit – Rep. Malliotakis

Banner Image:  Lucy the pig on Staten Island. Image Credit – Rep. Malliotakis