Zohran Mamdani Has Ambitious Plans for New York. How Much Will They Cost?

"He has highlighted four signature policy proposals: universal child care, free buses, city-owned grocery stores and a rent freeze on rent-stabilized apartments. These ideas have excited New Yorkers who are worried about the soaring cost of living. But if Mr. Mamdani wins, the plans could be difficult to implement. He would have to secure support from critical stakeholders, find funding to pay for the plans and hire the right staff members to make sure they are successful."

"Free child care for every child under the age of 5 is the most ambitious idea and the most expensive. All together, the policies could cost nearly $7 billion every year. If all of them were implemented, the cost would be higher than the Police Department's budget. But New York City has the largest budget of any city in the country at nearly $116 billion. Mr. Mamdani has argued that there is room within it to spend more on his priorities."

Zohran Mamdani proposes universal child care, free buses, city-owned grocery stores and a rent freeze on rent-stabilized apartments to address affordability. The combined policies could cost nearly $7 billion annually and might exceed the Police Department's budget if fully implemented. New York City's overall budget is nearly $116 billion, and Mamdani contends there is room within it to fund priorities. His revenue plan seeks $9 billion from higher taxes on wealthy residents and corporations plus about $1 billion from contract streamlining, stronger tax enforcement and fines. Implementation would require legislative backing, stakeholder support and experienced administrative staff.

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