New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has panned a key policy proposal from New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
During the final day of a conference in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Sunday, Ms. Hochul bristled when asked by reporters about Mr. Mamdani’s plan for free MTA bus rides for all New Yorkers.
“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,” she said.
Referring to previous budget agreements with the MTA, she added, “But can we find a path to make it more affordable for people who need help? Of course, we can.”
Ms. Hochul, who endorsed Mr. Mamdani toward the end of his campaign, said although she agrees with broadening a universal child care initiative statewide, a proposal by Mr. Mamdani for free child care would cost state taxpayers $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,” she said.
She said she would want to initially phase in an expansion of such a program with certain age groups in underserved areas of the state.
Ms. Hochul is running for reelection next year, and Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican, launched her campaign for governor and is using every opportunity to tie the Democratic incumbent to Mr. Mamdani, a Democratic socialist. He defeated former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in a three-way race for mayor.
In 2022, Ms. Hochul defeated Trump EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, a former Long Island congressman, by a margin of six percentage points.
• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.
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