Shown above, with his right hand over his heart, is Zohran Mamdani. Mamdani has gone from being an "upstart mayoral hopeful" to become the winner of the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City. I am quoting a story in The New York Times, published on Saturday, June 28th, and authored by Matthew Haag and Benjamin Oreskes. As The Times' news story notes, Mamdani's political success was propelled by a simple message: the city is too expensive — and that Mamdani has plans on how to fix that.
Well, what is Mamdani's plan? As The Times puts it:
Much of Mr. Mamdani’s agenda relies in large measure on increasing revenue through taxes on businesses and the wealthy — part of an overarching vision to rethink how the city funds expanded social programs. Along with raising income taxes, he has pledged to shift the property tax burden “from the outer boroughs to more expensive homes in richer and whiter neighborhoods” (emphasis added).
Let me tell you what the Governor of New York State had to say about the Mamdani plan to raise taxes on businesses and the wealthy, to provide the money that will allow the City to do better for those who are currently right at the brink of personal financial disaster. The Governor (Kathy Hochul) said that "raising taxes is a nonstarter." She also said that she was "focused on affordability," and that "raising taxes on anyone does not accomplish that."
Actually, raising taxes on businesses and the wealthy, and using that increased tax revenue to provide things like free bus rides, free early child care, and a rent freeze to keep housing prices from continuing to escalate, is something that does make the city more "affordable" for those currently being priced out.
I was offended by the Mayor's statement because it is so plainly untrue. Is it a good idea to increase taxes on those who are better off, in order to help make life in New York City more affordable for those with lower incomes, who are now being priced out? Sounds good to me, but there are definitely arguments about whether that's a good idea - there are arguments on "both sides." To state, however, that doing that just wouldn't help the city's "affordability" crisis - that it wouldn't make any difference - is just plain wrong.
In fact, you might even say it's a lie.
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