Zohran Mamdani can't explain how policies will fund $10B in 'freebies' during NYC mayoral debate

"Zohran Mamdani had little to say when asked during Thursday night's mayoral debate how he would cover the cost of his $10 billion in freebies for his socialist agenda - as Gov. Kathy Hochul has insisted she will not raise taxes. "Look, a lot of people have called even my campaign a non-starter when we first again and now I stand before you proud to be the Democratic nominee who got the most votes in city primary history," Mamdani said, dodging the question."

"Mamdani's pillar of his campaign promises has been to raise taxes on people making more than $1 million and corporate taxes. His top policy proposal for free universal childcare would come a staggering price tag of $5 to $6 billion alone. Hochul has repeatedly said that she has no intention of raising taxes as she is heading into her own election cycle next year, when she is expected to face a bruising challenge from Republican North Country Rep. Elise Stefanik."

"Mamdani also faced heat from Cuomo over another one of his hallmark campaign proposals - freezing rent on the about 960,600 rent-stabilized apartments in the city. Cuomo charged that Mamdani's "freeze the rent" plan is half-baked and doesn't deal with all aspects of the city's housing crisis. "Freeze the rent only postpones the rent," Cuomo said. He also pointed out that freezing rent for rent stabilized apartments doesn't help other renters and homeowners being squeezed out of their neighborhoods."

Zohran Mamdani was unable to provide detailed funding plans for roughly $10 billion in proposed programs when pressed at the mayoral debate. The campaign centers on raising taxes on individuals earning over $1 million and on corporations, with a proposed universal childcare program estimated to cost $5 to $6 billion. Governor Kathy Hochul has said she will not raise taxes. Andrew Cuomo criticized Mamdani's proposal to freeze rent on about 960,600 rent-stabilized apartments as incomplete, noting it would not address the broader housing crisis or help other renters and homeowners. Moderators pressed Mamdani for data supporting the rent proposal.

Read at New York Post