Posted on 11/11/2025 9:53:09 PM PST by SeekAndFind
Zohran Mamdani campaigned to become the mayor of New York City by promising a series of expensive plans including free child care, rent freezes and free buses. As I pointed out here, the cost of these proposals is unknown but is expected to be wildly expensive.
The free child care element could cost the city around $6 billion per year, equal to the entire NYPD budget. His plan for free buses is expected to cost another $800 million, but again it could be more.
So where is he going to get the money to pay for all of this? Well, most of the money would come from two proposals. The first is an increase in the state corporate tax rate which could bring in an extra $5 billion per year. The second is a millionaire's tax which could bring in $4 billion per year.
But there's a catch. Both of those plans are state taxes which would have to be passed by the legislature and signed by the governor in order to happen. Mamdani himself actually has no role in passing these taxes other than using his position as mayor to advocate for them. But on his own he can't do anything. He's completely dependent on the governor if he wants these to pass.
All that to say, it matters what Gov. Kathy Hochul thinks about his plans. And so far her answer to them has been a solid no. For instance, she was asked recently on CNN if she would consider raising income taxes. Her answer was a flat no.
Another near-lethal blow to Mamdani's free-for-all promises just happened.
His promises to Trump proof NYC requires a huge amount of money, and his primary means to achieve it was said to be raising taxes.
Kathy Hochul just confirmed there's no chance she will raise taxes. https://t.co/7qWBwYTL0T pic.twitter.com/jb7DXBMQZO— Media Lies (@MediasLies) November 8, 2025
More recently, she directly shot a hole in Mamdani's plans for free buses. Gov. Hochul was at a conference taking place in San Juan, Puerto Rico when she was asked about Mamdani's plan for free buses.
“I cannot set forth a plan right now that takes money out of a system that relies on the fares of the buses and the subways. But can we find a path to make it more affordable for people who need help? Of course, we can,” Hochul said during a press conference with reporters, referencing her prior deals with the MTA to provide billions for the authority’s next capital plan, as well as other investments like cameras on subway cars.
Here's video of her answer:
Yet another major blow to Mamdani's free-for-all pipe dream. His dream of giving free busing and subways is all but destroyed.
Gov. Hochul just confirmed: "I cannot set forth a plan right now that takes money out of a system that relies on the fares of the buses and the subways."The odds of him delivering on any of his campaign promises is diminishing more by the day, with no end in sight.
https://t.co/NN5mO6VqRU pic.twitter.com/DK9rDVCjX3— Media Lies (@MediasLies) November 10, 2025
The New York transit system is already in a deep fiscal hole and is facing a budget gap of more than $400 million.
New York City’s transit system faces a potential $432 million budget shortfall this year because the subway, bus and commuter rail operator may need to wait until 2026 to get reimbursed from federal money owed for cleaning costs during the Covid pandemic, according to a report from Thomas DiNapoli, the state’s comptroller.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the largest transit provider in the US, has yet to receive $600 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency funds to cover additional cleaning expenses the MTA paid for during the pandemic.
Now is not the moment to spend another $800 million. If anything, the system needs to be come more self-sufficient, not less. So the chances of Mamdani getting his way on this are slim.
As for his free child care proposal, Hochul says she's on board with that statewide, but notes the state doesn't have the money.
Hochul said she’s also looking at expanding a universal child care program statewide — but the total price tag is $15 billion.
“Child care I already committed to,” she said. “I’m committed to this as mom governor, I get it, but also to do it statewide right now, it’s about $15 billion — the entire amount of my reserves.”
Where could they come up with that money? The governor could agree to raises taxes, but as you've already seen, she's a firm no on that plan.
So what this amounts to is an incoming mayor who won the election by promising people things he can't deliver with money the state doesn't have. Maybe something will change but in the near term it looks like Mamdani's socialism has no path to getting its hands on more of other people's money.
Here's a local news story about Mamdani's bus promises.
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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is a public benefit corporation of the State of New York, governed by a 21-member Board of Directors appointed through a mix of state and local executive nominations, with legislative confirmation by the New York State Senate. It is not a city or state agency, but an independent authority with broad powers to issue bonds, set fares, and manage operations.
The Governor of NY is the CEO and Chairman of the Board.
Mamdani has zero power over the MTA, its rates, or its funding.
When this was pointed out to Mamdani - he completely evaded the question.
I forget, it was so long ago and I’m too lazy to look - whom did she back in the election?
The Candy Jar is empty.
When ever the candy jar is empty, the islamocommie party just raises taxes:
Oregon gov Kotex, Wyden and Merkley>>>>ARE RAISING TAXES
“The bill raises the state’s gas tax by six cents and increases title, registration, and other vehicle fees at the DMV. It also raises the state’s payroll tax by 0.1% for the next two years to support public transportation services.
A new per-mile or annual road usage charge (RUC) will be phased in over the next three years. There is a voluntary RUC program in effect called OReGO, but this bill would make it mandatory.”
https://katu.com/news/local/oregon-gov-kotek-signs-emergency-transportation-bill-politics-drazan-republicans-portland-salem-referendum-policy-tactics-vote-taxes-money-consumers
People are pissed!
See comments section.
Approximately 20% of New Yorkers who regularly ride the subways and buses are estimated to be fare evaders (scofflaws), based on the latest available data from early 2025.
Hochul's plan: The brown paper bag test. If your skin is as dark or darker than a brown paper bag, you ride for free.
They will be free, because city cops will be ordered to ignore fare evasion and turnstile jumpers.
Free busses for homeless people to sleep in and have fentanyl parties.
This is a great time for the Trump administration to deliver on all campaign promises to offer the stark contrast to mandami and his ilk in time for national mid term elections
Ruh-roh. I don’t think mooselimbs are keen on women telling them no.
She means no free buses for whites or American citizens
It’s time for the not so smart party to cash in on this. Hochul knew this all along. Knowing this, she and Mamdani allowed the lie to continue in order to gain power. If she were asked this repeatedly by a compliant media, Mamdani probably would never have been elected. The two hoodwinked their voters into believing all these freebies were a possibility. Yet Hochul at least knew all along it was as a nonstarter.
The electorate in NYC has to be one of the most ignorant voting bloc in all of America. Either that, or they don’t care.
A woman saying NO to a fanatic Muslim?
@GovKathyHochul
You backed the commie - don’t pretend to care for the people....
What amount/percentage of bus fare is already paid with tax money vs out of pocket by riders?
I’ll bet it’s at least 80/20.
Unrealistic to expect the transit unions to agree to cutting their own jobs, salaries and benefits. Man-dummy has started class warfare between bus drivers and the average bus rider who wants freebies.
Cuts into her take.
Mandani is about to get and education on how to be a grownup. There are rules and procedures to follow in government. He controls the street department, NYPD, and FDNY, but to taxes.
He will order the city to NOT enforce any rules of fare busting and it will become free to all.
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