New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani speaks during a press conference in New York City, U.S. December 9, 2025. REUTERS/Kylie Cooper TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
New York, NY – Last week, Mayor Zohran Mamdani proposed a potential ~9.5% increase in property taxes, a move aimed at addressing the city’s projected $5.4 billion budget gap. The proposal has sparked concern among homeowners and residents, many of whom are already facing high living costs. Critics argue that the timing of the proposal is challenging for families trying to manage housing expenses and daily bills.
This week, Mamdani teamed up with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) for a Spanish-language outreach campaign, encouraging families to apply for the city’s free 3-K and Pre-K early childhood education programs before the Feb. 27 deadline. The programs are available to all eligible children, regardless of income or immigration status, and the campaign was designed to make multilingual communities aware of these opportunities.
Supporters of the outreach say the initiative is an important tool to ensure families know about available resources and can access affordable childcare, which can be a major financial burden in New York City. “Childcare is a basic need for families,” said a city spokesperson. “Ensuring everyone knows their options is part of responsible governance.”
However, some critics have expressed concern about the optics of promoting universal benefits while also discussing a tax increase. Opponents say the combination may raise questions about priorities and place additional strain on citizens who contribute to local services.
City officials have stated that they will continue reviewing the budget proposal and its implications for taxpayers, public services, and community programs in the weeks ahead.
