In a stark reminder that even within the Democratic Party, fiscal sanity can prevail over unchecked progressive spending sprees, New York Governor Kathy Hochul delivered a sobering message to incoming New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani during a recent appearance at the SOMOS political retreat in Puerto Rico.
Just days after Mamdani’s upset victory in the November 4 mayoral election, Hochul made it clear: She has no plans to hike taxes on the wealthy or bankroll his signature promise of fare-free city buses.
Hochul’s remarks came on the final day of the SOMOS conference in San Juan, where she addressed a crowd of Latino political leaders and fielded questions on the implications of Mamdani’s win.
The 34-year-old assemblyman, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, campaigned on a bold $10 billion platform of “freebies,” including universal childcare, rent freezes, and, most prominently, making NYC buses “fast and free” for all riders. To fund it? A 2-point surcharge on the top 1% of earners and a corporate tax bump to 11.5%, aligning with New Jersey’s rate.
But Hochul, who endorsed Mamdani back in September, isn’t signing any blank checks.
“We’re spending a lot of money, so 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,” Hochul stated firmly during the event.
Hochul emphasized the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) dependence on rider revenue, which already faces a $315 million annual hit from fare evasion alone. Instead, the governor advocated for targeted relief: “But can we find a path to make it more affordable for people who need help? Of course we can.”
Translation: Subsidies for low-income New Yorkers, not a blanket giveaway that could strain the state’s $15 billion reserves; the same pot Mamdani eyes for his other initiatives.
On the tax front, Hochul’s stance is equally unyielding.
Mamdani, undeterred, doubled down post-election: “These are not just slogans. These are commitments, and I look forward to delivering on them.” His vision echoes the progressive playbook that’s left cities like San Francisco grappling with budget shortfalls and service breakdowns.
Yet Hochul’s pushback highlights a key reality: As governor, she holds the purse strings for the MTA, a state-controlled entity that funnels billions into NYC transit. Without Albany’s buy-in, Mamdani’s dreams could stall faster than a rush-hour Q train.
Conservatives watching from afar can’t help but nod in approval.
In a state long dominated by big-government experiments, Hochul’s restraint, however modest, serves as a bulwark against the fiscal folly of “free everything” schemes.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy captured the sentiment on social media: “Nothing in life is free,” he quipped, labeling Mamdani’s pitch as straight-up socialism.
As Mamdani prepares to take office in January, all eyes will be on whether Hochul’s line holds. For now, New York’s working families, and its overburdened budget, can exhale. In the battle between bold promises and cold math, the numbers are winning.
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