Mamdani repeatedly sidesteps questions on reported plan to revive tax hikes on wealthy New Yorkers

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani repeatedly avoided answering questions on Thursday about reported plans to launch a public campaign this autumn pushing for tax increases on wealthy residents and corporations. The democratic socialist mayor would not confirm whether he intends to press ahead with the proposals before November, a stance that carries weight given Governor Kathy Hochul has previously rejected similar tax hike ideas, setting up potential friction between the two Democrats.

According to reports, Mamdani is expected to build public support for the tax proposals after Labor Day, reviving efforts to secure levies on high earners and businesses that Hochul had earlier knocked back. His evasiveness comes amid mounting scrutiny of the cost of his broader democratic socialist policy agenda, with critics, including some fellow Democrats, warning of a political backlash over the price tag attached to his plans.