Governor Cathy Hochul expressed on Tuesday that New York State has already provided substantial assistance to New York City as Mayor Zoran Mamdani prepares to visit Albany to advocate for the city’s budget needs.
The day before Mamdani’s trip to the capital for a legislative event dubbed “Tin Cup Day,” Hochul deflected questions regarding additional city funding.
When reporters inquired about his plan to address the city’s significant $12 billion budget deficit, Hochul remarked, “Let me tell you this: I’m already doing that.”
She continued, highlighting the $1.7 billion in state funding dedicated to support Mamdani’s universal child care initiative, stating, “I stood up without anyone asking me, because I know that supporting New York City is the right thing to do.”
In another exchange, when questioned about Mamdani’s proposal for free bus services, Hochul noted, “We are always in talks.”
Hochul joined Mamdani for a news conference in Brooklyn, where they discussed his “Let them build” agenda aimed at expediting the environmental review process for new constructions.
Mamdani is set to present at Wednesday’s budget hearing, informally referred to as “Tin Cup Day,” which allows mayors across the state to engage with legislators about their local issues.
The newly elected mayor, who is working towards presenting a balanced preliminary budget by the February 17 deadline, is expected to advocate for higher taxes on the affluent and increased state support for affordable policies.
However, some officials suspect that Hochul’s advisors may be irritated by Mamdani’s public requests, with claims that the city’s projected $12 billion budget gap might be exaggerated. Reports indicate that the city’s budget expects merely around $513 million in childcare funding from the state.
Despite Mamdani’s initiatives, Hochul affirmed her stance against raising taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers.
Yet, according to one expert, the new mayor, who recently backed Hochul’s re-election, might find some common ground on certain projects.
“The budget is a negotiated process, and the state has its own financial obstacles ahead,” said Andrew Lane, chairman of the Citizens’ Budget Committee. “But I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s some agreement that allows for additional funding for city programs or helps improve its financial standing.”
The mayor’s office has not responded to a request for further commentary.
