New York Governor Kathy Hochul hinted to the media on Sunday (December 28) that she may allocate a large sum of money from the state budget next year to support New York City’s new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, and his universal children’s free childcare plan.
“I think he (Mamdani) will surprise many people,” Governor Hochul said on Sunday on the “Katz Roundtable Show” on WABC 77 radio. “Let’s all give him a chance.”
Hochul voiced her support for Mamdani’s multibillion-dollar universal children’s care plan but did not disclose the source of funding or specific payment methods. Mamdani has made it clear that he plans to tax the top 1% of wealthy individuals to fund his series of free programs, to which Hochul did not indicate whether she agrees. However, she has previously stated that she is against raising personal income taxes but has not ruled out the possibility of raising other taxes, such as increasing the corporate income tax rate.
On the radio show on Sunday, Hochul expressed confidence in Mamdani and hinted at her plan to fiercely push for a taxpayer-funded multibillion-dollar universal children’s care plan in her 2026 gubernatorial re-election campaign, which is the top priority for the incoming socialist mayor.
Hochul said that despite disagreements, she has a good relationship with Mamdani and they are “highly aligned in many aspects,” especially in the universal free childcare plan and in “lowering the cost of living in this great city and improving the quality of life,” she told host John Catsimatidis.
“When employees don’t have to worry about who will take care of their children, employers in New York will truly benefit. I believe this will also bring real competitive advantages to our businesses,” Hochul said. “I am very excited about this.”
Furthermore, in the interview, Hochul also expressed her happiness that Mamdani has invited Jessica Tisch to continue serving as the New York City Police Commissioner.