NY-GOV: Mamdani declines to immediately back Hochul's reelection after she offers him coveted endorsement

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36. If Mamdani wins, he will be working with Kathy Hochul for the full first year of his term.

There is no guarantee that a Democrat will win the 2026 gubernatorial race. We've had Republican governors in NYS, and the Democratic nominee will most likely be facing a formidable Republican challenger.

Hardly any of Mamdani's proposals can be enacted without action from the governor and the NYS legislature.

Can Zohran Mamdani’s Agenda Survive Albany?

Mamdani’s plans for universal child care, fare-free transit, and affordable housing rely on Albany getting on board.

Two of the three key planks in his platform — making buses free to ride and providing universal free child care — would require action from the governor and state legislature, including raising taxes by billions of dollars. (The third, freezing the rent on rent-stabilized apartments, can be accomplished at the city level.)

https://nysfocus.com/2025/06/26/zohran-mamdani-albany-taxes

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Zohran Mamdani, a New York City mayoral candidate, does not have the unilateral power to raise taxes. Any proposal to increase New York City's income tax would require approval from the New York state legislature and the governor. Income tax rates for New York City residents are set in Albany by the state legislature and signed into law by the governor, not by the city's mayor.

Mamdani has proposed increasing taxes on wealthy city residents to fund programs like free bus service and universal childcare.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has previously called additional tax increases a "nonstarter," citing concerns that higher taxes could drive wealthy residents out of the state.

As demonstrated during former Mayor Bill de Blasio's term, a New York City mayor's ambitions are often constrained by the state government, particularly regarding tax policy.

https://bit.ly/4nBvIlt