Zohran Mamdani renews call to hike taxes — even though his new ally in Gov. Hochul has nixed the plan

Leading the race for mayor, Zohran Mamdani has intensified his efforts to increase taxes on corporations and the ultra-affluent, positioning himself in opposition to his newfound ally in Albany, Governor Kathy Hochul.

“Our proposed plan could generate $9 billion, alongside an additional $1 billion through city-level savings and necessary reforms,” Mamdani stated during a rally in The Bronx, where he was joined by the healthcare union workers of 1199SEIU.

His campaign has centered around raising corporate taxes to align with neighboring states, as well as increasing taxes on the top 1% and 2% of earners in New York.

The socialist candidate believes the generated revenue would fund various social initiatives he has proposed, including complimentary buses, childcare, and city-operated grocery stores.

In addition, Mamdani has suggested potential cuts to NYPD overtime, which has recently reached approximately $1 billion.

This financial plan places him at odds with Hochul, who has consistently assured New Yorkers that the state will refrain from increasing taxes.

The governor criticized any new taxes back in June, repeating a familiar Republican argument that raising costs for the wealthy would lead many to relocate to Palm Beach.

However, since Hochul’s surprise endorsement of the Democratic nominee last week, she has mostly sidestepped discussing how the two plan to collaborate, especially with taxes being a central focus of Mamdani’s campaign.

Mamdani maintains a significant lead in the polls as the November 4 election approaches in the predominantly Democratic city. He faces a crowded ballot that includes Republican Curtis Sliwa as well as Democrats running as independents, incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, and former Governor Andrew Cuomo.

This comes at a time when Hochul finds herself navigating a challenging path to maintain her position in Albany for the upcoming 2026 elections, as her support dwindles in suburban areas.

Political analysts suggest that the governor aims to rally the downstate electorate ahead of her showdown with Rep. Elise Stefanik in the next year.