This column originally appeared in The Politics Brief,<\/b> our weekly newsletter on the people, power and policies that shape New Yorkers’ lives.<\/p>\n
Sign up<\/a> to get the full version where you can ask questions, share news tips and weigh in on the conversation. Hits inboxes on Wednesdays.<\/p>\n When Zohran Mamdani attended Gov. Kathy Hochul\u2019s State of the State speech last year, he was just one of more than 100 Democratic state assemblymembers \u2014 and a low-polling long-shot mayoral candidate.<\/p>\n On Tuesday, he made a triumphant return to Albany as New York City mayor.<\/p>\n The affordability message that fueled his winning campaign is now being imitated by Hochul, who is running for re-election this year.<\/p>\n Mamdani got the celebrity treatment, Albany style. Many of his former colleagues gave him a standing ovation<\/a> in the Assembly chamber.<\/p>\n The 34-year-old then rode in the elevator with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie on his way to The Egg<\/a>, the brutalist concrete theater where Hochul gave her remarks. At the speech, he took his seat in the fourth row, between Rochester Mayor Malik Evans and Syracuse Mayor Sharon Owens.<\/p>\n Mamdani was the only local official the governor introduced by name, and the announcement drew sustained cheers and applause. When Hochul played a video message from local mayors and county executives, Mamdani was featured prominently.<\/p>\n \u201cShe\u2019s been focused on making New York more affordable, and is a trusted partner in our shared fight for universal child care,\u201d Mamdani said in the video.<\/p>\n Last week, they stood shoulder to shoulder<\/a> as she announced her plan to fund an expansion of child care statewide, including funding for the first two years of a child care program for 2-year-olds, referred to as 2-care, in New York City. She repeated her commitment<\/a> on Tuesday.<\/p>\n \u201c\u200aThis plan will ultimately deliver universal child care for every single family in New York, full stop,\u201d said Hochul, prompting Mamdani to spring from his seat to lead a standing ovation.<\/p>\n Mamdani\u2019s platform has dominated the conversation so much that legislators said they were being careful to ensure New York City is not the only beneficiary of expanded access to child care.<\/p>\n \u201dWe want to make sure that we recognize that we have 2-year-olds in upstate New York as well,\u201d said state Sen. Jeremy Cooney, a Rochester Democrat. \u201cSo how are we going to apply the governor’s pilot program for universal child care in communities outside of New York City?\u201d<\/p>\n Some of Mamdani\u2019s other priorities did not make it into Hochul\u2019s address. But in a break from the traditional battles that often define the relationship between New York City\u2019s mayor and the state, Mamdani said he is focused on partnership.<\/p>\n \u201cGov. Hochul and I are intent on charting a new course of cooperation,\u201d Mamdani told reporters after the event.<\/p>\n At the same, he said he plans to continue lobbying for more big-ticket items, such as his proposal for fast and free buses.<\/p>\n \u201c\u200aWhat gives me a real sense of hope and confidence is that the greatest accomplishments we’ve ever had in the fight for free buses have come through Albany in the past,\u201d Mamdani said. \u201cI continue to believe that it can come through Albany in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n He also said he will continue to make the case for his entire affordability agenda, including raising revenue through tax hikes on corporations and the wealthiest New Yorkers. Hochul has said she opposes those increases.<\/p>\n After the speech, Mamdani was mobbed by people leaving the theater. New York City Councilmember Gale Brewer took the mayor aside to lobby him to keep Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn Strauber, who tendered her resignation last week.<\/p>\n But even some of the mayor’s friends were unable to get space on his dance card \u2014 including state Sen. Gustavo Rivera, one of his early endorsers in the Legislature. They have texted, but didn’t link up in person.<\/p>\n “He obviously was a busy guy,” Rivera said. “I certainly was happy to see him back up in Albany, sitting in a different part of the room.”<\/p>\n We want to hear from you<\/b><\/p>\n Should the state tax the rich to pay for Mayor Mamdani\u2019s affordability agenda?<\/p>\n