Mayor Zohran Mamdani arrives to deliver his 100 Days Address, a speech dedicated to outlining the progress made on his core campaign promises since taking office, in Queens, New York City, U.S., April 12, 2026. REUTERS/David 'Dee' Delgado
(New York, New York) – Mayor Zohran Mamdani may have backed away from property tax hikes, but New Yorkers could still feel the budget pain in another way: higher fees.
Mamdani’s spending plan is drawing scrutiny over proposed cost increases tied to everyday city services, including ambulance rides, EMS response, tree pickup, parks concessions and taxi permits.
The mayor is presenting the budget as a responsible way to close a massive gap without directly hiking property taxes. But critics say the city may simply be moving the burden from one pocket to another.
For working New Yorkers, the distinction may not matter. Whether it is called a tax, a charge or a fee, the result is the same if families and small businesses are paying more.
