(NewsNation) — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has promised to hit the ground running with a wave of plans to bring costs down for New Yorkers.
At his swearing-in ceremony Thursday, the new mayor pointed to policy plans — some costing millions, others billions of dollars — hoping to make life in the nation’s largest city more affordable.
Mamdani ran with a push on affordability for New Yorkers, and his campaign put estimates on four headline moves that were key to his victory:
- Universal child care at $6 billion a year
- Fare-free buses at $800 million a year
- About 200,000 new rent-stabilized homes over 10 years at $100 billion over that decade
- A pilot of five city-run grocery stores at $60 million a year
”We will transform the culture at City Hall from one of no to one of how,” Mamdani said. “The only expectation I seek to reset is that of small expectations. Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously.”
Mamdani signs 3 EOs on housing
Mamdani hit the ground running, signing three executive orders on housing on Day 1.
The first executive order would revive the mayor’s office to protect tenants, and two others would establish task forces to accelerate housing development.
The plan involves tax hikes on corporations and top earners, but the city would need state approval to raise taxes significantly, and there’s no guarantee the legislature would sign off. Mamdani also needs City Council approval on local orders like city-run grocery stores.
If the state signs off and even with the funds, building child care capacity and housing takes time. However, rent freezes and bus fares are among the fastest “Day 1” fights he can pursue.
Transit fares set to increase in NYC
Mamdani has expressed that one of his first goals is to make bus rides completely free in the city.
“Getting on a bus without worrying about a fare hike or whether you’ll be late to your destination on time will no longer be deemed a small miracle because we will make buses fast and free,” Mamdani said during his inaugural address Thursday afternoon.
But with subway and bus fares set to increase this weekend, and no precise funding method outlined, it remains uncertain how he will fulfill this goal, and for now, it remains just a proposal.
Mamdani announces creation of Mayor’s Office of Mass Engagement
On Friday, Mamdani announced the creation of the Mayor’s Office of Mass Engagement to make sure New Yorkers’ voices are heard.
“This office, combining and reorienting the existing Community Affairs unit, Public Engagement Unit and other initiatives, starts from a simple premise: Working New Yorkers know what they need to thrive,” Mamdani said.
“Our job is to make sure government listens, consistently and with real consequence.”