Mamdani Needs to Improve Services Not Raise Taxes, Watchdog Says

New York City Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist, and a business-backed budget watchdog agree: government should deliver high-quality services. Where they differ is whether to raise taxes on the rich and businesses to do it.

“He needs to focus on the priority programs that deliver, including his new programs, and be willing to shrink the ones that don’t deliver value to New Yorkers no matter how popular they are,” Andrew Rein, president of Citizens Budget Commission, said in an interview. “We have to be very careful about the cost of government and the cost of taxes.” ...