Will these 100 days really change much?
Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s campaign commitments—like universal child care, free express buses, and a rent freeze—seem more elusive as he approaches his 100th day in office this Friday.
Many of the affordable measures that helped him achieve an unexpected electoral victory are apparently struggling to gain traction in Albany. Officials suggest that Governor Cathy Hochul’s ability to impose taxes on the wealthy to fund these promises has its limits.
“His 100th day looks quite different from what he envisioned on day one,” said Evan Ross Smith, an election consultant and pollster. “The question is whether he’s actively trying to implement these policies or merely signaling for ideological reasons.”
Universal Child Care
Mamdani’s pledge to deliver free childcare for children aged six weeks to five years specifically addressed families burdened by high childcare costs.
Initially, he seemed to have a strong start, especially when Hochul unveiled a $4.5 billion child care initiative in January, featuring a “2Care” pilot for all two-year-olds in the city.
However, the rollout of this pilot is limited to just 2,000 children across five school districts in its first year, falling short of Mamdani’s expectations.
Despite a challenging race, Mamdani maintained his optimism, highlighting minor achievements towards his universal child care aim on his 100th day.
“On child care, he’s launched a pilot, but you can’t fix everything in that short span,” remarked Yvette Buckner, a political strategist.
According to state commitments, the 2-Care program is set to expand to $425 million by 2027, eventually covering 12,000 children. However, discussions surrounding funding expansions for younger children still hinge on Albany’s decisions.
Free Bus
Mamdani’s memorable promise of “fast and free” buses has seen some progress in terms of speed improvements but has hit a snag when it comes to actual implementation.
During his self-acknowledgment week, he conceded that the full vision of free bus rides wouldn’t be realized this year. Instead, discussions are shifting towards a simplified pilot that would allow select bus routes to be free for a year.
“After talking with the governor and legislative leaders, I’m hopeful to take our first step in 2026,” he shared.
The proposed $45 million program to make three bus routes free in each borough stands in stark contrast to the broad vision presented during his campaign.
Rent Freeze
Mamdani’s slogan, “Freeze the rent,” resonates particularly well in cities with large tenant populations.
Despite having already missed his initial promise to freeze rents “immediately” for 2 million stabilized apartments, this pledge seems more achievable since it doesn’t rely on Albany’s approval.
By February, he had made multiple appointments to the City Rent Guidelines Committee, taking control of the nine-member board that determines rent levels for stabilized housing.
Early indications from the board suggest a rent freeze could be approved after public hearings in May. However, some experts warn that radical tax proposals and rent freezes might alienate the businesses and taxpayers who sponsor the city budget.
“Last year, he expressed a desire to collaborate with economic growth during discussions with business leaders. The question remains whether he will follow through,” stated Stephen Fulop, director of the Partnership for New York City.
“A Glance”
The idealistic progressive, who promised significant cost-of-living reforms on his Inauguration Day, is facing the tough realities of governance, according to insiders.
“I wouldn’t call it a disaster, but there’s a clear distinction between campaigning and governing,” commented Chris Coffey of Task Strategies. He added, “Partnering with Governor Hochul on child care is a positive move; let’s see how it develops.”
Some believe Mamdani could recover from these initial setbacks, while others criticize his campaign as based on unfulfilled promises.
“The anticipated revolution seems to be over. For those who thought it was going to happen, it looks unlikely,” noted former City Comptroller Scott Stringer.
“These are the very promises that got him elected,” commented J.C. Polanco, a Republican political analyst.
Mamdani and his team have recently adopted a more cautious tone in their messaging than during his campaign. “We’re coming up on our 100 days in office and want to give New Yorkers a sneak peek of what’s in store for the next four years,” he remarked.
