Lexicus
Deity
Comparing Norway to New York City in this regard simply shows that you do not understand New York City or its rich people.
Zohran Mamdani
- Thread starter Voidwalkin
- Start date
Comparing Norway to New York City in this regard simply shows that you do not understand New York City or its rich people.
Zohran Mamdani’s Proposals to Help New Yorkers Are Surprisingly Affordable
Despite the frantic tone of mainstream media coverage (and the revolutionary overtones of the phrase “democratic socialist”) most of Mamdani’s agenda could be accomplished at minimal cost to the city. The only exception is his plan for free universal childcare—whose costs may have been overstated by his own campaign.
Grocery Store Pilot Program
As for cost, $60 million is a tiny fraction of the city’s budget. Furthermore, New Yorkers—like the rest of us—are already paying an “invisible tax” on food, as consolidation and corporatization of the grocery business increases prices for everyone.
Free, fast bus service
First, it’s important to recognize that 48 percent of the city’s bus riders board without paying their fares, according to the Transit Authority. Or, to put that another way: the city’s bus system is already half “free.” We’re just talking about the other half.
$600 million is a large number to most of us, of course. But it’s roughly one-half of one percent of New York City’s 2026 budget, for something that makes life more affordable for millions of New York City residents. And the increased ridership will make the “fast” part more popular, laying the political groundwork for more dedicated bus lanes.
Rent Freeze
Mamdani is proposing a freeze on rents, which would apply to roughly 30 percent of the city’s rental units. That would not cost the city anything, although a case could be made that it could reduce high-end spending in the city. That’s highly speculative, however.
Free Universal Childcare
This is the expensive part of the program. The Mamdani campaign estimates that the free childcare program will cost $6 billion. Another group, the Fiscal Policy Institute, estimates that it would cost a much lower $2.5 billion. Either way, however, there’s no denying that it’s a lot of money.
There’s no space here to review Mamdani’s revenue proposal in detail but it would cover the cost of the childcare program if passed, with another $4 billion left over. As many observers have pointed out, any increase to the state tax would have to be passed in Albany.
It’s possible that the state legislature will pass the tax hike, but there are ways to handle the shortfall even if it doesn’t. Mamdani’s plan also raises $4 billion from a city tax increase on annual income over $1 million (which, if passed, would still leave most of those affected paying less than they did before Trump’s tax cut). It would also raise approximately $1 billion (estimated) from procurement reform and improved collections. That’s $5 billion, which is less than the Mamdani team estimates its childcare plan would cost but double the Fiscal Policy Institute’s estimate.
Despite the frantic tone of mainstream media coverage (and the revolutionary overtones of the phrase “democratic socialist”) most of Mamdani’s agenda could be accomplished at minimal cost to the city. The only exception is his plan for free universal childcare—whose costs may have been overstated by his own campaign.
Grocery Store Pilot Program
As for cost, $60 million is a tiny fraction of the city’s budget. Furthermore, New Yorkers—like the rest of us—are already paying an “invisible tax” on food, as consolidation and corporatization of the grocery business increases prices for everyone.
Free, fast bus service
First, it’s important to recognize that 48 percent of the city’s bus riders board without paying their fares, according to the Transit Authority. Or, to put that another way: the city’s bus system is already half “free.” We’re just talking about the other half.
$600 million is a large number to most of us, of course. But it’s roughly one-half of one percent of New York City’s 2026 budget, for something that makes life more affordable for millions of New York City residents. And the increased ridership will make the “fast” part more popular, laying the political groundwork for more dedicated bus lanes.
Rent Freeze
Mamdani is proposing a freeze on rents, which would apply to roughly 30 percent of the city’s rental units. That would not cost the city anything, although a case could be made that it could reduce high-end spending in the city. That’s highly speculative, however.
Free Universal Childcare
This is the expensive part of the program. The Mamdani campaign estimates that the free childcare program will cost $6 billion. Another group, the Fiscal Policy Institute, estimates that it would cost a much lower $2.5 billion. Either way, however, there’s no denying that it’s a lot of money.
There’s no space here to review Mamdani’s revenue proposal in detail but it would cover the cost of the childcare program if passed, with another $4 billion left over. As many observers have pointed out, any increase to the state tax would have to be passed in Albany.
It’s possible that the state legislature will pass the tax hike, but there are ways to handle the shortfall even if it doesn’t. Mamdani’s plan also raises $4 billion from a city tax increase on annual income over $1 million (which, if passed, would still leave most of those affected paying less than they did before Trump’s tax cut). It would also raise approximately $1 billion (estimated) from procurement reform and improved collections. That’s $5 billion, which is less than the Mamdani team estimates its childcare plan would cost but double the Fiscal Policy Institute’s estimate.
Gori the Grey
The Poster
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2009
- Messages
- 13,939
A little pamphlet on NYC's budget including sources of revenue.
No "corporate tax" as such, but property taxes and business taxes.
No "corporate tax" as such, but property taxes and business taxes.
