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In reply to the discussion: Here's what the Democrats can learn from Zohran Mamdani [View all]
lapucelle
(21,013 posts)18. The NYC mayor cannot raise corporate and income taxes on his own. The mayor needs approval at the state level.
Similarly, while Mayor DiBlasio deserves kudos for his excellent implementation NYS's universal pre-k statute, it was a NYS law and state and federal funding that allowed him to put his plan into action.
I guess it is an ultimate irony that it was Governor Andrew Cuomo who secured the funding for Mayor DiBlasio's gold-standard program.
De Blasio wins bid for Universal Pre-K in New York City
De Blasio had proposed raising taxes on New Yorkers earning more than $500,000 annually to fund Universal Pre-K, which had earned him the wrath of Wall Street and the business sector, who already consider their tax burden too high in New York City.
Since January, the mayor has been leading a media campaign to support the initiative to serve 53,000 children starting next September with the start of the next school year in the city.
Amid the struggle against employers, complicated by rivalries between Democrats, Governor Cuomo took up the gauntlet and included the project in the 2014-2015 state budget to the city guaranteeing nearly all the money required. (De Blasio had initially estimated the program would cost $ 340 million)
"The state has taken a historic and powerful decision that will change the lives of tens of thousands of children," said De Blasio to celebrate the first great achievement of his administration.
De Blasio had proposed raising taxes on New Yorkers earning more than $500,000 annually to fund Universal Pre-K, which had earned him the wrath of Wall Street and the business sector, who already consider their tax burden too high in New York City.
Since January, the mayor has been leading a media campaign to support the initiative to serve 53,000 children starting next September with the start of the next school year in the city.
Amid the struggle against employers, complicated by rivalries between Democrats, Governor Cuomo took up the gauntlet and included the project in the 2014-2015 state budget to the city guaranteeing nearly all the money required. (De Blasio had initially estimated the program would cost $ 340 million)
"The state has taken a historic and powerful decision that will change the lives of tens of thousands of children," said De Blasio to celebrate the first great achievement of his administration.
https://alignny.org/press/de-blasio-wins-bid-for-universal-pre-k-in-new-york-city/
https://www.nysed.gov/sites/default/files/programs/early-learning/family-faqs.pdf
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Free Buses and Billions in New Taxes. Can Mamdani Achieve His Plans?
The Democratic mayoral hopeful promises free child care, a $30 minimum wage and a massive tax hike on the city’s corporations. But much is not within a mayor’s control.
The Democratic mayoral hopeful promises free child care, a $30 minimum wage and a massive tax hike on the city’s corporations. But much is not within a mayor’s control.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/28/nyregion/mamdani-policies-economy-housing-buses-childcare.html
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He won a primary in a heavily Democratic city over a traditional moderate candidate who had the support of
lees1975
Jul 2025
#10
No. Myth that Democrats have no economic policies, only identity politics. That "ignore the working class" crap.
betsuni
Jul 2025
#36
Democrats have chased the non-existent "between the 40-yard-line voters since 1984.
Gore1FL
Jul 2025
#11
Democrats win when they follow unpopular Republican administrations. There is no both sides.
betsuni
Jul 2025
#28
Taxing those making over a million to pay for universal preK, free buses, and regulating rent hikes universal appeal
JT45242
Jul 2025
#8
The NYC mayor cannot raise corporate and income taxes on his own. The mayor needs approval at the state level.
lapucelle
Jul 2025
#18
He doesn't seem to follow "we've always done it this way" and people don't like change.
twodogsbarking
Jul 2025
#22
We also need to be clear about what his city-owned grocery stores plan actually is . . .
markpkessinger
Jul 2025
#27