During the final day of the Somos conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Gov. Kathy Hochul threw cold water on one of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s key policy proposals: free MTA bus rides.
“I cannot set forth a plan right now that takes money out of a system that relies on the fares of the buses and the subways. But can we find a path to make it more affordable for people who need help? Of course, we can,” Hochul said during a press conference with reporters, referencing her prior deals with the MTA to provide billions for the authority’s next capital plan, as well as other investments like cameras on subway cars.
Hochul said she’s also looking at expanding a universal childcare program statewide — but the total price tag is $15 billion.
“Child care I already committed to,” she said. “I’m committed to this as mom governor, I get it, but also to do it statewide right now, it’s about $15 billion — the entire amount of my reserves.”
Hochul said she prefers to phase in an expansion first with certain age groups and “geographically” underserved communities.
The governor then promised a resolution by the start of the new year in January 2026.
Meanwhile, Mamdani addressed concerns that the business community and New Yorkers who did not vote for him have shared about his status as a democratic socialist.
“I’ve said throughout the entirety of this campaign that this is a campaign to bring the struggles of working New Yorkers back to the focus of our politics, and to ensure that City Hall is seen as a place that not only recognizes those struggles but also delivers on the needs of those working people,” he said at a separate availability with reporters.
One key potential ally, state Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, the top Democrat in the chamber, who expressed a willingness to back Mamdani’s proposals, like a tax hike.
“It’s November. It’s still kinda early. We gotta see how things fit inside of the state budget. But I think there’s a willingness. I don’t want to speak for the other two partners in this. But we want Zohran, the mayor-elect, to be successful,” he told reporters Friday evening.
Meanwhile, a leadership showdown in the City Council is underway, as current Council Speaker Adrienne Adams is term-limited and several Democratic members are vying to take her place.
“There are so many areas of commonality around universal childcare, about building more affordable housing. I’m really excited about the council having a proactive vision,” Manhattan Councilwoman Julie Menin said.
“I’m excited about the big, broad coalition I’ve continued to build throughout my career, and in this race it’s no different,” Crystal Hudson, a Brooklyn councilwoman, told NY1.
“I’ve met with almost every single council member, many of them in their home districts to meet them where they’re at, and tell them that I’m the one that’s actually gonna bring change,” Christoper Marte, a Manhattan councilman, said.
“I think it’s really important as an outer borough member, that is starting from a really great foundation of what working families are looking for, to be leading the rest of the city in that way,” said Amanda Farias, a councilwoman representing the Bronx.